Keeping F-22 Raptor fighters in service until 2030 will cost more than $ 9 billion for US taxpayers

If the US Congress does not allow the Air Force to retire the fifth-generation F-22 Raptor fighter jets,

keeping them ready will cost billions of dollars until the end of the decade. This became known from the budget request for fiscal year 2024 (FY).

What is known

The US Congress did not approve the US Air Force's request for withdrawalfrom service of some fighter aircraft in FY2023. The service now wants to retire 32 aircraft along with hundreds of other aircraft. The refusal will also affect the development of the sixth generation fighter, since the US Air Force wanted to use the savings specifically for the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.

In total, by 2030, the United States will have toto spend $9.04 billion on the F-22 Raptor. The proposed cost of purchasing components for the F-22 in FY2024-2030 is $5.94 billion. In addition, the US Air Force will have to invest $3.2 billion in research and development.

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The biggest expense items are related to improvementsensors and reliability and maintainability – $4.13 billion and $2.43 billion, respectively. Other major purchases include Link 16 communications systems, friend-or-foe identification systems, simulator modifications, and Pratt &amp; F119 engine upgrades. Whitney.

In addition, the US Air Force wants to spend $553 million onfuel tanks. Budget documents provide for the purchase of 326 tanks and 286 pylons, which will give each aircraft at least two complete sets. In this modification, the F-22 Raptor can fly at speeds up to Mach 1.2 (1482 km/h).

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Considering spending from FY2018, the US Air Force predictsthe total cost of maintaining fifth-generation fighters in a combat-ready state at the level of $16.2 billion, i.e. more than $100 million for each aircraft. By 2030, the service may retain approximately 148 fighters.