The F-22 Raptor fighter is gradually becoming obsolete.

Defense industry news March 14: The F-22 Raptor is gradually becoming obsolete as the technology applied to it is outdated and needs expensive upgrade packages.

Sweden's " world's safest tank" was completely destroyed in Ukraine; the F-22 Raptor "Raptor" is facing the risk of obsolescence, these are the contents of the defense industry news on March 14.

The F-22 Raptor is facing the risk of obsolescence.

Time has become the new enemy of the US F-22 Raptor fifth-generation fighter, which they are planning to modernize.

In an article by 19FortyFive's Brent Eastwood, it was determined that over the next four years, the US Air Force will need $42 million to maintain the combat readiness of each F-22. This amount does not include the planned modernization costs.

F-22 Raptor fighter jet. Photo: Defense News

The F-22 is expected to be a “bridge” to the sixth-generation air superiority fighter (NGAD). Washington plans to upgrade 142 F-22s to the Block 30 standard to ensure they remain dominant in future conflicts. However, this upgrade will take a long time. The author admits that the modernization of the F-22 fleet will last until 2030. By that time, the US Air Force wants NGAD to replace the Raptor.

“The Air Force is in a difficult position. They need to continue developing NGAD and ramping up the intensity for the next five years while upgrading the F-22, then retire the Raptor or abandon upgrading the F-22 altogether,” Eastwood wrote.

In early March, The War Zone reported that the F-22 had made its first flight under the latest upgrade package. The aircraft is equipped with new sensors that improve the effectiveness of target detection and identification.

Russia tests anti-UAV laser weapon system in Crimea

A combat laser system capable of destroying drones has been tested in the Crimean Peninsula.

The founder and head of the all-Russian Arkhangelsk project for training unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) Mikhail Filippov told TASS that during the tests, the laser beam hit a target at a distance of 35 meters. “ The beam was able to cut through a 15-cm thick tree in 5-6 seconds, and then burn 2-3 more simulated targets behind it. A silicate brick was broken in about a minute, and a 10-cm thick metal plate was pierced in about 10 seconds when hit by the laser beam ,” Filippov said.

A Russian laser weapon system. Photo: Lenta

Mr. Filippov noted that various high-energy weapon systems are currently being tested, allowing the system to be used to protect infrastructure. This compact laser can fit in the trunk of an ATV.

In February 2025, the US Navy announced that it had successfully tested the High Energy Laser Integrated Optical Surveillance and Illumination System (HELIOS). The system, mounted on the destroyer Preble, shot down a UAV.

Sweden's 'World's Safest Tank' Completely Destroyed in Ukraine

Over the past two years, the Russian Armed Forces have reportedly destroyed all 10 Strv 122 tanks supplied to Kyiv by Sweden. At least 14 successful attacks have been carried out on them. This information was reported by David Axe, a military expert, in an article published in the American Forbes magazine.

“This could mean that all 10 tanks were damaged,” Forbes magazine reported.

At the same time, the author David Axe notes, all damaged tanks were not destroyed but continued to be used. He explains that this proves the high survivability of the vehicle in a real combat environment. In addition, the American author notes that the Ukrainian army in most cases was able to tow damaged Strv 122s back for repair.

The Strv 122 tank was essentially disabled on the battlefield in Ukraine. Photo: Topwar

All of these Swedish tanks are in service with the 21st Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The unit also has 21 Leopard 2A6s and some older Leopard 1A5s. The brigade took part in the Ukrainian Armed Forces' cross-border offensive in the Kursk region.

The Strv 122 tank is manufactured in Sweden and weighs 63 tons. It has a crew of four. It is a modernized version of the German Leopard 2A5 tank. Recently, on a Ukrainian TV channel, a tanker from the 21st Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces stated that the Swedish combat vehicle is more advanced than the German prototype.

In total, Kyiv’s European countries have promised to deliver 259 Strv 122, Leopard 2A6, Leopard 2A4 and Leopard 1A5 tanks since 2023. Most of them have already been delivered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Expert David Axe claims that during this time the Russian military is believed to have destroyed only 30 of these tanks.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/may-bay-chien-dau-f-22-raptor-dang-dan-lac-hau-378262.html