Katerina Swanson
The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation fighter jet known for its speed, stealth, and manoeuvrability. While the exact fuel capacity of the F-22 is classified information, estimates suggest it can carry around 8,165 kg (18,000 lbs) of internal fuel. The F-22 also has the option of additional external fuel tanks for extended missions, each with a capacity of 600 gallons (2,270 litres). The jet's fuel efficiency is enhanced by its supercruise capability, which allows it to sustain supersonic speeds without using fuel-intensive afterburners. However, the F-22's small fuel tanks have been a topic of discussion, especially when compared to the F-35, which has a larger fuel capacity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Internal fuel capacity | 18,000 lbs (8,165 kg) |
| External fuel capacity | 8,000 lbs (3,629 kg) in two 600-gallon tanks |
| Ferry range | Over 1,600 nmi (1,840 mi; 2,960 km) |
| Combat radius | 460 nmi (529 mi; 851 km) clean with supercruise |
| Combat range | 669 nmi (770 mi; 1,239 km) |
| Supercruise speed | Mach 1.5 |
| Top speed with afterburners | Mach 2.0 (2,414 km/h or 1,500 mph) |
| Mission radius of F-35B | 505 nmi |
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What You'll Learn
- The F-22 Raptor can carry 8,165 kg (18,000 lbs) of internal fuel
- It can also carry two 600-gallon external tanks with 3,629 kg (8,000 lbs) of fuel
- The F-22's exact fuel capacity is classified information
- The F-22 was designed for interception and air superiority
- The F-35 burns a lot more fuel than the F-22
The F-22 Raptor can carry 8,165 kg (18,000 lbs) of internal fuel
The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation fighter jet that combines stealth, supercruise, manoeuvrability, and integrated avionics. Its top speed is over Mach 2.0 with afterburners engaged, which is more than twice the speed of sound. To achieve this speed, the F-22 Raptor uses afterburners, which inject extra fuel into the engine for a significant thrust boost.
The F-22 Raptor's fuel capacity and performance are a result of its specific mission profile. The F-22 was developed in the 1990s primarily for the United States Air Force and was designed for interception and air superiority. This meant that the F-22 could have smaller fuel tanks and rely on either limited missions or tankers for air superiority.
The F-22 Raptor's fuel efficiency is further enhanced by its supercruise capability, which allows it to sustain supersonic speeds of around Mach 1.5 without using afterburners. This not only extends the F-22's range and endurance but also maintains its stealth capabilities by avoiding the heat signature generated by afterburners.
The F-22 Raptor's combination of speed, stealth, manoeuvrability, and high-altitude performance makes it a dominant force in the skies, despite its high cost of around $350 million per unit.
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It can also carry two 600-gallon external tanks with 3,629 kg (8,000 lbs) of fuel
The F-22 Raptor is a fighter jet that was developed in the 1990s primarily for the US Air Force. It was designed with interception and air superiority in mind, which means that its missions are either limited (in the case of interception) or supported by tankers (in the case of air superiority). As such, the F-22 Raptor can function with smaller fuel capacity than other aircraft.
The Raptor's exact fuel capacity is classified information. However, estimates suggest it can carry around 8,165 kg (18,000 lbs) of internal fuel. This is supplemented by the option for additional external fuel tanks for extended missions.
The F-22 Raptor can carry two 600-gallon external tanks with 3,629 kg (8,000 lbs) of fuel. This additional fuel gives the jet a ferry range of over 1,600 nmi (1,840 mi; 2,960 km). The external tanks can be jettisoned, along with their pylon attachments, to restore the aircraft's low observable characteristics and kinematic performance.
The use of external fuel tanks does come at a cost. When tanks are mounted on external hardpoints, the radar cross-section of the aircraft becomes much bigger, and its manoeuvrability is decreased. This is a trade-off between the amount of fuel carried and the amount of weapons and other systems that can be stuffed into the aircraft.
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The F-22's exact fuel capacity is classified information
The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation fighter jet that combines stealth, supercruise, manoeuvrability, and integrated avionics. While the F-22's exact fuel capacity is classified information, estimates suggest it can carry around 8,165 kg (18,000 lbs) of internal fuel. This gives the jet a combat radius of 460 nautical miles (529 miles or 851 km) with a clean configuration and 590 nautical miles (679 miles or 1,093 km) when flying subsonically.
The F-22's fuel capacity is a trade-off between fuel, weapons, and other systems. The jet's wings include four hardpoints, each rated to handle 2,300 kg (5,000 lbs). Each hardpoint can carry a detachable 600-gallon (2,270 L) external fuel tank, providing an additional 3,629 kg (8,000 lbs) of fuel. With these external tanks, the F-22's range increases to over 1,600 nautical miles (1,840 miles or 2,960 km).
The F-22 was designed in the 1990s for the United States Air Force, specifically for interception and air superiority roles. These missions typically involve limited durations or the availability of tanker support, allowing for smaller fuel capacity. In contrast, the F-35, which was designed to serve all air branches of the US military, requires a broader mission profile and, therefore, a larger fuel capacity.
The F-22's supercruise capability further enhances its fuel efficiency. Supercruise allows the jet to sustain supersonic speeds of around Mach 1.5 without using fuel-intensive afterburners. This not only extends the F-22's range and endurance but also maintains its stealth capabilities by avoiding the heat signature generated by afterburners. This capability gives the F-22 a tactical advantage, enabling it to intercept enemy aircraft or engage in combat situations quickly and efficiently.
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The F-22 was designed for interception and air superiority
The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation air superiority fighter and a product of the United States Air Force's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program. It was designed as an air superiority fighter but also incorporates ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence capabilities. The F-22 is a critical component of the USAF's tactical airpower as its high-end air superiority fighter. The aircraft became the service's leading counter-air platform against peer adversaries. Although designed for air superiority operations, the F-22 has also performed strike and electronic surveillance, including missions in the Middle East against the Islamic State and Assad-aligned forces.
The F-22 Raptor is a combination of stealth, supercruise, manoeuvrability, and integrated avionics, coupled with improved supportability. It is an American twin-engine, jet-powered, all-weather, supersonic stealth fighter aircraft. The F-22 has a maximum speed of approximately Mach 1.8 in supercruise at military/intermediate power and greater than Mach 2 with afterburners.
The F-22's AIM-120D is excellent, and it also has a cannon, whereas the J-20 has no internal cannon. The F-22 kept its gun for last-resort use. The F-22 was designed to filter and fuse sensor inputs automatically, displaying a coherent tactical picture to the pilot without overwhelming them. Pilots often praise that flying the Raptor is like “letting the airplane do the work” of sensing and even some flying, so they can focus on tactical decisions. The sensor fusion and high processing power were leaps and bounds ahead of earlier fighters.
The F-22 typically carries weapons internally, but its wings include four hardpoints, each rated to handle 5,000 lb (2,300 kg). Each hardpoint can accommodate a pylon that can carry a detachable 600-gallon (2,270 L) external fuel tank or a launcher holding two air-to-air missiles. With 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) of internal fuel and an additional 8,000 lb (3,629 kg) in two 600-gallon external tanks, the F-22 has a ferry range of over 1,600 nmi (1,840 mi; 2,960 km).
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$21.99
The F-35 burns a lot more fuel than the F-22
The F-22 Raptor is a combination of stealth, supercruise, manoeuvrability, and integrated avionics. The F-22 typically carries weapons internally, but its wings include four hardpoints, each of which can accommodate a detachable 600-gallon (2,270-litre) external fuel tank. The aircraft has an internal fuel capacity of 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) and can carry an additional 8,000 lb (3,629 kg) of fuel in two external tanks, giving it a ferry range of over 1,600 nmi (1,840 mi; 2,960 km).
The F-35 Lightning II, on the other hand, has a different design and performance characteristics. It has a wing-tail configuration with two vertical stabilizers canted for stealth. The F-35 lacks the kinematic performance of the larger twin-engine F-22, but it is competitive with fourth-generation fighters such as the F-16 and F/A-18. The F-35 has a top speed of Mach 1.6 (1,220 mph; 1,960 km/h) and can fly at Mach 1.2 (913 mph; 1,470 km/h) with afterburners. The F-35's engine, the Pratt & Whitney F135, has a higher bypass ratio, which provides better specific fuel consumption at subsonic speeds compared to the F-22.
When it comes to fuel fraction, the F-35A has a fuel fraction of about 38%, while the F-22 without external fuel tanks (EFTs) has a fuel fraction of about 29%. Even with two 600-gallon external fuel tanks, the F-22 only achieves a fuel fraction of about 36%. This indicates that the F-35 has a higher fuel capacity relative to its weight compared to the F-22.
Based on these calculations, it can be expected that the F-35A will fly about 1.4 times further than the F-22 on the same load. With the addition of external fuel tanks, the F-22's full weight increases by about 4 tonnes, resulting in an average weight difference of 1.47 times, but only a 1.43 times difference in the amount of fuel carried. Therefore, it can be concluded that the F-35 burns a lot more fuel than the F-22 due to its higher fuel fraction, better specific fuel consumption, and higher average weight.
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Frequently asked questions
The exact fuel capacity of the F-22 is confidential, but estimates suggest it can carry around 8,165 kg (18,000 lbs) of internal fuel.
Yes, the F22 can carry additional external fuel tanks for extended missions, adding 8,000 lbs (3,629 kg) in two 600-gallon tanks.
The F22 was designed with small fuel tanks as it was primarily intended for interception and air superiority missions, which are shorter in duration.
The F22's fuel capacity is smaller than that of the F-35, which was designed to serve all air branches of the military and requires more fuel for its VTOL configuration.
The F22's fuel capacity allows for a ferry range of over 1,600 nmi (1,840 mi; 2,960 km) and a combat radius of 460 nmi (529 mi; 851 km) in supercruise mode.
