F-22A Squadrons

F-22A Squadrons funds Air Force research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) for upgrades to the fielded F-22 Raptor. It is in Budget Activity 7, Operational Systems Development; associated Aircraft Procurement, Air Force funding supports aircraft modifications, initial spares, and depot activation. The Raptor combines low observability, supercruise, maneuverability, and integrated avionics for air superiority, access to contested environments, and homeland and cruise missile defense. Incremental modernization develops and tests changes to the aircraft, engine, Operational Flight Program (OFP), and training systems, while also addressing safety, obsolete components, and applicable aviation mandates.

Acquisition has moved from rapid prototyping toward fielding and longer-term development. Most Middle Tier of Acquisition rapid-prototyping efforts ended in FY2023, but Sensor Enhancements received an extension for an F-22 demonstration and entered Rapid Fielding in August 2024; its prototype and procurement effort is funded across the Future Years Defense Program. Several other capabilities are executing or transitioning as Major Capability Acquisition programs. The Air Force uses the REDI II and follow-on ARES indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracts to adjust work as threats and priorities change.

Infrastructure sustains the laboratories and Combined Test Force (CTF) needed to integrate, verify, and certify upgrades. The CTF at Edwards Air Force Base is the enterprise's only developmental flight-test capability; its operationally relevant tests identify deficiencies before fielding. FY2027 work refreshes System Integration Laboratories, increases test capacity, modifies test aircraft, and supplies special equipment for capability upgrades and OFP airworthiness certification. It also develops F-22 In-a-Box, a high-fidelity software aircraft for the Joint Simulation Environment, and continues small projects involving cybersecurity, engines, open architectures, and diminishing manufacturing sources.

Advanced Technology Development (ATD) matures technologies and reduces risk before capabilities enter development programs. FY2027 work completes a high-bandwidth beyond-line-of-sight satellite-communications demonstration and continues studies, demonstrations, and testing for other F-22 efforts. Earlier Geyser+ flight demonstrations and hardware analysis helped inform its production configuration and integration requirements.

Sensor Systems develops advanced sensors to preserve the F-22's first-look, first-shot, first-kill advantage. FY2027 funding continues developmental and operational flight testing, receives remaining test assets and support equipment, and uses testing to inform maintenance and logistics planning. Testing is expected to support a Release 6 fielding decision in the fourth quarter of FY2027, while remaining manufacturing work moves from engineering facilities to production facilities.

Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna (CRPA)/Anti-Jam GPS Antenna replaces the legacy fixed-reception antenna with technology intended to resist interference with positioning, navigation, and timing signals. Following hardware corrective action and service-life retesting, FY2027 work continues development and procurement of integration hardware for anti-jam GPS solutions. Embedded GPS/Inertial Navigation System Modernization (EGI-M) separately addresses the statutory M-Code requirement: it provides anti-spoofing navigation, more secure cryptography, and compatibility with M-Code weapons that the Air Force Weapons Program Office expects to field before an F-22 M-Code GPS solution is available. FY2027 activities begin heads-up-display and control-panel software, test-aircraft engineering, and Flying Test Bed hardware integration ahead of further laboratory integration.

Mode 5 Identify Friend or Foe Challenge (IFFC) implements a Joint Requirements Oversight Council-mandated friendly-force identification capability to improve survivability and reduce fratricide. New waveform, cryptographic, and data functions require coordinated hardware, software, and spectrum approval. FY2027 funding continues flight tests alongside the Raptor OFP, pursues operational radio-frequency authorization for Combat Air Forces aircraft, and supports hardware troubleshooting for Release 6 fielding.

Low Drag Tanks and Pylons (LDTP) seeks greater range and persistence while limiting the drag and survivability penalties of external tanks. Its tanks are designed to permit supersonic flight, while smart-rack pneumatic pylons control store ejection. FY2027 activities deliver test assets, continue weapon-separation and jettison testing, begin final flight-test certification, and advance full pylon qualification as engineering development gives way to production.

Viability addresses future threats through the Infrared Defensive Suite (IRDS) and Geyser+. IRDS replaces legacy missile-launch detectors to improve detection of long-range air-to-air and surface-to-air missile threats, with open-architecture software integration. FY2027 work continues IRDS test-asset development and engineering, while Geyser+ advances supplier and integration hardware, design, test-fleet kits, and preparations for laboratory testing. Additional laboratory assets and equipment support airworthiness certification of new Open Computer Environment cards.

Cryptographic Modernization updates F-22 communications to meet SATURN anti-jam radio and Tactical Secure Voice Cryptographic Interoperability Specification requirements. FY2027 work develops communications modules and the KOV-28A cryptographic module, begins module-level testing, and coordinates certification with the National Security Agency; rack changes also reserve space for future Open Radio Architecture upgrades. Hybrid Satellite Communication (SATCOM), separated from Viability in FY2026, takes a phased approach to beyond-line-of-sight access using commercial and government devices. Its FY2027 effort advances design integration and begins laboratory and developmental testing.

Software Pathway for Enabling Expedited Deliveries (SPEED) consolidates OFP and other software work transferred from individual capability lines beginning in FY2026; it is not a new start. FY2027 funding expands the agile software pipeline under the ARTEMIS II contract and continues firmware, F119 engine OFP, Link-16, and open-architecture development. Link-16 and Multifunction Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System work supports tactical data sharing between fifth- and fourth-generation aircraft, while the Helmet Mounted Display Cueing System advances two-way cueing, test kits, and ejection-safety qualification. Release 5 Production Build 002 has a fielding decision review scheduled for May 2027, followed by a technical order in June; Sensor Systems testing also informs the planned Release 6 decision later that year.