When not in combat or when flying missions that don’t require stealth, the F-22 Raptor is often seen flying with two massive 600-gallon external fuel tanks underwing that carry an additional 8,000 pounds of fuel. These external fuel stores have a seriously detrimental effect on any fighter’s performance, and as such, they’re the first thing most pilots will drop prior to squaring off with an opponent.

These drop tanks dramatically increase the amount of weight carried under each wing, which can raise the fighter’s stall speed (or the speed the jet must maintain to prevent an aerodynamic stall) while also dramatically increasing the inertia of each wing, limiting the fighter’s ability to roll or execute tight turns. They also increase drag, forcing the fighter to work harder in all forms of maneuvers, and dragging down climb rate and acceleration.

In other words, no Raptor pilot would head into the merge with their drop tanks unless it was required by the exercise’s rules of engagement to inhibit the fighter’s performance and give the lesser jet a better chance.

So, without further context regarding the circumstances of this combat exercise, it seems clear that the intent here was to provide all personnel involved with the greatest training benefit, not to put on a clinic about the Raptor’s dominance. And as such, the deck was, once again, stacked against the mighty F-22.

Alex Hollings is a writer, dad, and Marine veteran.

This first appeared in Sandboxx. 

Image: Shutterstock.