The first image of the US Air Force F-22 aircraft with new fuel tanks and stealth capsules has been received

The US Air Force continues to modernize the fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor stealth multi-role fighter aircraft, which are approaching the middle of their service life. Over the past few years, a number of changes have been made to the technical equipment and equipment of aircraft of this class in order to maintain “dominance” in the sky.

One of these improvements was the installation of new external fuel tanks and sensor modules for hidden infrared sensors (stealth capsules), which improve the existing characteristics of the aircraft in terms of radar signature. American users of social networks drew attention to the appearance in the public domain of a photograph of a US Air Force F-22 Raptor aircraft, which depicts one of the fighters with this new configuration, reports the online military publication Zona Militar. The test flight took place near the Aerospace Center in the Mojave Desert (California) next to the Edwards Air Force Base located here.

According to data published by the American specialized website The War Zone, the new Raptor modules will include infrared tracking and search system (IRST) sensors. This feature was originally planned to be included during the design and development phase of the YF-22 fighter demonstrator prototype, but due to budgetary reasons at the time, implementation of this equipment was delayed.

Pair of YF-22 prototypes with GE YF120 and P&W YF119 engines

In addition to the new modules, another improvement was developed to mitigate one of the significant shortcomings of the F-22 associated with its short flight range. This problem has become most pressing given the strengthening of the military presence of the US Armed Forces in the Asia-Pacific region as part of the strategic confrontation with China, which is developing and adopting new air defense systems.

Compared to existing 600-gallon (2 liter) fuel tanks, the new low-observable designs do not affect the aircraft's radar or other characteristics. Although there are no further details, the tanks will have some similarities with the current ones. tanks, because when ejecting during flight, the pylon that attaches them to the aircraft's wing also becomes detached.

The introduced technical innovations and further modernization should improve the capabilities of the F-22 in comparison with the Russian fifth-generation Su-57 fighters and the Chinese counterparts Chengdu J-20 in a hypothetical conflict, writes Zona Militar. The resulting innovations in the Raptor's capabilities further improve its situational awareness of the battlefield. As for the future replacement of the Air Force's 180-strong fleet of F-22s, all of these new technologies must be tested and matured on the Raptor for future transfer to the new sixth-generation fighter being developed as part of the NGAD project.

Comments

[Bad_gr]

because when they eject during flight, the pylon that attaches them to the aircraft's wing also becomes detached.

As I understand it, the external tank is not amorphous, but suspended in a conventional form (without stealth technology), it is simply thrown in together with the pylons, after which the aircraft restores its stealth to radars.

[Nikolai]

Quote: Bad_gr

As I understand it, the external tank is not amorphous, but suspended in a conventional form (without stealth technology), simply thrown in together with the pylons,

From the description it looks like it is. Apparently, for full exploitation of all the advantages of STEALTH, the tank should be used only to increase the range with subsequent release. It is expensive, but you need to choose either STEALTH or range, apparently conformal tanks do not meet the requirements of STEALTH.

[NIKN]

The introduced technical innovations and further modernization should improve the capabilities of the F-22 in comparison with the Russian fifth-generation fighters Su-57 and Chinese counterparts Chengdu J-20 in a hypothetical conflict

It is clear that technology does not stand still and aircraft are modernized as much as possible, especially such expensive ones. But this doesn't just happen in the US.

[Dva parovoza]

"The first image of the US Air Force F-22 aircraft with new fuel tanks and stealth capsules has been received." Where exactly is this “received” image? Or is this article an alert for an image that will not be shown to anyone?

[AlexTss]

Where exactly is this “received” image?

The tanks are hidden in stealth capsules and are therefore not visible.
But seriously - at the end of the article it is written: “Photos from Wikimedia were used” - apparently new images were not imported there...