US finalizes plan to upgrade F-22's air combat capabilities

US Air Force officials have finally set a date for the F-22 Raptor fighter jets to receive a weapons upgrade, after several delays due to software issues on the aircraft.

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F-22 5th generation aircraft.

In January, it was reported that the $613 million weapons system upgrade for the F-22 was facing many limitations due to delays in the development of control software. However, according to Lieutenant Carrie Volpe, the issue has been resolved and the F-22 will begin receiving the upgrade package for air-to-air combat capabilities in 2019.

The F-22 upgrade package is called Increment 3.2B and will help the aircraft fully utilize the potential of the AIM-9X and AIM-120D air-to-air missiles.

The Raytheon-made AIM-120D missile can operate in all weather and environments to attack low-altitude or high-altitude aerial targets, even when moving at high speeds. According to the Pentagon, this guided missile costs 1.7 million USD/unit for the D version. Previously, the F-22 was equipped with the C version of this missile.

Along with that, the upgrade also gives the F-22 the ability to use the AIM-9X missile. This type of missile is capable of attacking aerial targets similar to the AIM-120D, however, at a distance beyond visual range.

The F-22 is the only fifth-generation fighter currently in service in the world. The US initially planned to produce more than 800 of them, but eventually decided to close the production line after only 187 were produced to focus on the F-35.

According to Capital Security