F-22 & F-35

The F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II are the most advanced fighter aircraft of their generation, embodying decades of technological ambition, political battles, and military innovation. This book tells the intertwined story of America’s fifth-generation stealth fighters-from their inception and engineering breakthroughs to their combat deployments and global proliferation. The F-22, with its unmatched speed and maneuverability, became a symbol of pure air dominance but suffered from a short production run and staggering costs. The F-35, conceived as a versatile, multinational fighter, reshaped defense cooperation while navigating criticism over expense, complexity, and sustainment challenges.

Through detailed analysis, F-22 & F-35: Stealth, Software, and Sustainment explores the trade-offs of stealth design, the evolution of pilot training, the challenges of maintenance and readiness, and the future of airpower in a networked battlespace. It situates the Raptor and Lightning within the larger arc of global aviation, measuring them against rivals like Russia’s Su-57 and China’s J-20, while drawing lessons for the sixth-generation Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.

Both a technological chronicle and a reflection on defense policy, this book captures how the F-22 and F-35 transformed modern air combat-celebrated as marvels of engineering, yet also cautionary tales of cost, complexity, and the politics of procurement.