F-22 and F-35 Handle Threats Differently Due to Design Choices

The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II are fifth-generation stealth fighters with distinct approaches to processing and responding to airborne and ground threats. The F-22 is designed for air-dominance, focusing on stealth, supercruise, and sensor fusion. In contrast, the F-35 has a broader brief, including striking ground targets and jamming enemy radars. These different missions led Lockheed Martin's engineers to develop distinct strategies for how a fighter should see, evade, and engage a threat. The F-22's air-dominance platform relies on a combination of stealth and sensor fusion, while the F-35's broader capabilities require a more integrated approach to the battlespace.