The F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II represent America's fifth-generation fighter capability. While both are stealth aircraft, they were designed for fundamentally different roles. In a hypothetical dogfight between these two, the outcome depends heavily on the engagement parameters.
The Short Answer: F-22 Wins the Dogfight
In a classic within-visual-range dogfight, the F-22 Raptor holds significant advantages. Its combination of speed, maneuverability, and thrust vectoring makes it the superior platform for close-range air combat.
Why the F-22 Has the Edge
Speed and Altitude
The F-22 can supercruise at Mach 1.8+ without afterburners. Its maximum speed exceeds Mach 2.25. The F-35 maxes out around Mach 1.6. In a dogfight, speed is energy, and energy equals options.
The Raptor operates comfortably at 65,000 feet, while the F-35 optimizes at lower altitudes. The F-22 can dictate the engagement by controlling altitude.
Maneuverability
The F-22's thrust vectoring engines allow maneuvers no conventional fighter can match. It can point its nose independently of its flight path, tracking targets through extreme angles. The F-35 lacks thrust vectoring entirely.
At the 2017 Atlantic Trident exercise, F-22 pilots demonstrated the Raptor's superiority in within-visual-range combat against European fighters. The aircraft's agility remains unmatched.
The F-22's Design Purpose
The F-22 was built as an air superiority fighter. Everything about its design prioritizes defeating enemy aircraft. The F-35 was designed as a multirole platform that balances air-to-air capability with strike, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare roles.
Why This Comparison Misses the Point
Modern air combat rarely involves dogfights. Both aircraft carry advanced radars and beyond-visual-range missiles. The aircraft that detects, tracks, and launches first typically wins. In this domain, both platforms excel.
The F-35's sensor fusion may actually give it advantages in situational awareness. Its distributed aperture system provides 360-degree coverage. Pilots describe it as having "God's eye view" of the battlespace.
Complementary Roles
The Air Force operates both aircraft because they serve different purposes:
- F-22: Air superiority, establishing control of the skies
- F-35: Multirole operations, strike, ISR, and network-centric warfare
In a real conflict, these aircraft work together rather than against each other. The F-22 clears the airspace while the F-35 prosecutes ground targets and gathers intelligence.
The Bottom Line
If forced into a dogfight, the F-22 wins. But asking which is "better" misunderstands how modern air power works. Both aircraft excel at their designed missions.
For a deeper analysis, see our comprehensive F-22 vs F-35 comparison. You might also enjoy our breakdown of the F-16 vs F-15 dogfight scenario.
