US regret over fleet of F-22 Raptors

This is the jet the US wishes Australia had: the world’s most expensive fighter, the F-22 Raptor.

The US Air Force’s F-22 Raptor soars above southern Queensland ahead of Talisman Sabre. Picture: Beau Chenery.

This is the aircraft the US wishes Australia had. The world’s most expensive fighter jet, the F-22 Raptor, is down under for the joint US-Australia military exercise, Talisman Sabre.

Closely guarded by the US Air Force, production of the single-seat, twin-engine jet was axed in 2011 due to its cost — about $480 million each — and the ­belief no other aircraft could challenge its dominance. That decision meant even the US was left with only 187 Raptors, well short of the 381 considered the minimum to ensure US air superiority.

Colonel Brian Baldwin no longer flies the jet, but described the experience as “awesome”.

“I wish we had more of them,” he said at the launch of Talisman Sabre at the RAAF base at Amberley this week.

“I wish all of our closest friends could have some. We obviously have to take care of where we take the jet so we keep it as a special capability and it’s a pleasure to be able to bring it down to Australia.”

There have been no shortage of comparisons between the F-22 and the RAAF’s latest addition, the F-35, but Colonel Baldwin said they were designed to complement each other — rather than compete.

Colonel Brian Baldwin with one of the American F-22's.

Whereas the F-22 was intended as a high-end air superiority fighter, the F-35 was designed as an air-to-ground strike aircraft with excellent sensors and stealth. With a top speed of 2410km/h (Mach 2.25) and a climb rate of 62,000 feet a minute, the F-22 is considerably faster than the F-35, with a maximum pace of 1975km/h or Mach 1.6 and a climb rate of 45,000 feet a minute.

The F-35 has the capacity to carry heavier bombs at up to 900kg, compared to the F-22s 450kg limit.

“Obviously the F-35 is coming along nicely as a great fifth generation mate,” Colonel Baldwin said.

“They’re both extremely capable and a great addition to our high-end capabilities going forward.”