F-22A Squadrons

The F-22A Squadrons Program is a comprehensive Air Force initiative focused on maintaining and enhancing the operational relevance of the F-22 Raptor fleet. The program's primary objective is to ensure air superiority and mission effectiveness in highly contested environments through incremental modernization of hardware, software, avionics, and training systems. This includes efforts to resolve safety of flight issues, address diminishing manufacturing sources, accommodate technology insertion, and fulfill regulatory mandates such as those from the Federal Aviation Administration. The program is managed under Budget Activity 7, Operational Systems Development, which supports upgrades to systems that have already been fielded or approved for full-rate production.

Infrastructure funding supports the Combined Test Force at Edwards Air Force Base, laboratory operations, and System Integration Laboratories, which are essential for development, integration, testing, and verification of Operational Flight Programs and modernization efforts. These activities include technical refreshes, lab expansions, and systematic upgrades to support new aircraft configurations. The Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability Program provides solutions to improve fleet reliability and reduce life cycle costs. Small projects under Infrastructure address technology studies, cyber security, pilot training, and integration of advanced capabilities such as Low Observable signature management and Open System Architecture.

Advanced Technology Development focuses on technology maturation, risk reduction, and prototyping for classified F-22 development efforts. This thrust leverages rapid acquisition constructs to accelerate the development and fielding of software and hardware capabilities, such as advanced radar Electronic Protection and high-bandwidth satellite communications. Projects undergo flight demonstrations and hardware design analysis to inform production and integration requirements for Engineering, Manufacturing, and Development.

Sensor Systems aims to preserve the F-22's first look, first shot, first kill capability by developing and integrating advanced sensors, including Infrared Search & Track technologies. The program includes software and hardware integration, subsystem qualification testing, and flight tests to ensure operational effectiveness. Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna replaces legacy GPS antennas to improve resilience against jamming and interference, with the goal of achieving fleet-wide release after completing hardware and software integration and testing.

Embedded GPS/Inertial Navigation System Modernization ensures compliance with the M-Code mandate, providing anti-spoofing and secure Position, Navigation, and Timing capabilities. This supports accurate tracking and secure employment of M-Code enabled weapons. Link 16 and Open System Architecture Increment II Improvements facilitate tactical data sharing between 5th and 4th generation aircraft, with ongoing development of hardware, firmware, and interoperability enhancements. Mode 5 IFF Challenge provides Blue Force identification to reduce fratricide risk and enhance survivability, incorporating new waveforms, cryptography, and data into the F-22's systems.

Low Drag Tanks and Pylons are designed to extend the F-22's range and persistence while maintaining stealth and lethality, with ongoing hardware qualification, flight testing, and safety certification. Viability encompasses the Infrared Defensive System, Geyser+, and satellite communications upgrades to address future threats, focusing on missile launch detection and improved situational awareness. Cryptographic Modernization updates radios and cryptographic modules to meet NATO and NSA security requirements, ensuring secure communications and interoperability.

Hybrid SATCOM and Helmet Mounted Display Cueing System represent new major thrusts beginning in FY26. Hybrid SATCOM increases beyond line-of-sight communications through multi-vendor satellite solutions, while Helmet Mounted Display Cueing System enhances pilot situational awareness and lethality by enabling rapid target acquisition and off-boresight engagement. Both programs are transitioning to Engineering, Manufacturing, and Development phases, with objectives including hardware and software development, integration, and qualification testing. These efforts are managed through Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contracts to maximize flexibility and responsiveness to evolving operational needs.