New pictures present the very best view but of an F-22A Raptor sporting the stealthy drop tanks and gear pods in growth for the stealth fighter.
Californian aviation photographer Jarod Hamilton as soon as once more caught a scoop, this time giving us the closest view but of a Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor sporting each the stealthy gear pods – considered one of which no less than appears to accommodate an infrared search and observe (IRST) or different optical primarily based focusing on functionality – in addition to new stealthy exterior gasoline tanks. Each of those have been seen on the F-22 earlier than, however solely at a considerably better distance.
Take a look at the total Raptor accent line, simply in time for Summer season 🙌 #F22 #F22raptor pic.twitter.com/ml7cN6W7ki
— jmh.creates (@JarodMHamilton) March 21, 2026
Each of those new items of kit deal with a number of the F-22’s shortfalls in comparison with older plane varieties, or – within the case of the gear pods – to the F-35 Lightning II. Initially, the F-22 was designed with an built-in infrared search and observe (IRST) system which regarded much like the F-35’s Electro-Optical Concentrating on System, or EOTS, however this was cancelled for budgeting causes.
At current, though the jet has been used for some strike missions, the F-22 has no approach to optically scan for and designate its personal targets – as a substitute counting on exterior means, or on GPS-guided munitions.
The F-22 Raptor’s Infrared Search and Observe (IRST) system was a casualty of post-Chilly Conflict finances cuts. Whereas Lockheed’s unique design reserved inner quantity for this functionality, that house was in the end repurposed because the manufacturing airframe advanced. About 5 years in the past, I… pic.twitter.com/CgL1tLtIOG
— Air-Energy | MIL-STD (@AirPowerNEW1) February 25, 2026
The gear pods are each of the identical form, though just one seems to have a clear space on the entrance or an IRST system or different focusing on system to see by. It might be the case that in addition to offering an infrared search perform, the pods additionally present different options – maybe digital warfare (EW) capabilities and even networking for collaborative fight plane (CCA).
‘Legacy’ varieties just like the F-15, F-16, and F/A-18 are not often ever seen in fight with out no less than one exterior gasoline tank, however the F-22 nearly at all times flies fight missions in a clear configuration. It has longer legs on inner gasoline than these different fighters, however an excellent better fight radius is at all times going to supply further flexibility for mission planners.
4th and ultimate cell of three F-22s departing Lakenheath. Unsure of the callsigns however I’m certain somebody can affirm what they have been. In order that’s all 12 F-22s now on their approach to the Center East pic.twitter.com/WOAOiw95YT
— Glenn (@TallGlenn85) February 24, 2026
The F-22’s present drop tanks are meant primarily for ferry flights, although they’ve additionally been used on air defence missions. These tanks haven’t any stealth options, apart from the truth that when jettisoned each the gasoline tank and its pylon could be ejected from the plane. This doesn’t deliver the plane as much as its full stealth configuration, because the mounting factors for the pylons are left uncovered, however definitely it could produce a decrease radar cross-section than in the event that they have been nonetheless mounted.
Each the tanks and the pods have clearly been in growth for a while, the combo having been seen collectively in flight way back to March 2024. The elevated calls for on the U.S. army with the shift in overseas coverage of the present Trump administration could also be rising the tempo of growth. These capabilities would definitely be of use to the F-22 Raptors at the moment participating in Operation Epic Fury.
From the reference marks seen throughout the airframe we will see that it’s nonetheless flying in a check position. It was additionally seen refueling from one of many U.S. Air Power’s NKC-135R Stratotankers, primarily based at Edwards and regularly used to help plane check and growth flights.
Thanks to Jarod Hamilton as at all times for permitting us to make use of his unbelievable photos, you could find him on X/Twitter and Instagram.
