The F-22 Raptor is an air dominance fighter with much higher capability than current U.S. Air Force aircraft. Compared with the F-15 it is designed to replace, the aircraft has higher speed and longer range, greater agility, enhanced offensive and defensive avionics, and reduced observability. Furthermore, both the air vehicle and the engine designs emphasize reliability and maintainability of systems, and are the result of a team approach called Integrated Product Development.

The F-22 can carry medium and short-range air-to-air missiles in internal bays, and has an in internal 20-mm cannon and provisions for carrying precision ground attack weapons. Pilots will have a "first-look, first-shot, first-kill" capability because of the Raptor's stealth properties and advanced sensors. In addition, the avionics suite is a highly integrated system that will allow the pilot to concentrate on the mission, rather than on managing the sensors as in current fighters.

Much of the increased capability is based on the materials in the engine, the structure, and the skin. Efficient processing methods also contribute to higher reliability, lower costs, and simplified maintenance. This article describes some of those materials and processes.