[joseph20]

So what is this thing capable of? How does it compare to others?

[Mr Rogers]

After 20 years of work...it works pretty good.

Unfortunately, the USAF has sacrificed darn near every other aircraft in the inventory to get a handful of these.

Good news - we'll have air-air supremacy.

Bad news - we won't have anything left to exploit it with...

[scooter2]

How does it compare to others?

Two words......Vastly Superior.

[TommyDale]

"So what is this thing capable of? How does it compare to others?"

How about this? It has successfully dropped a "Bunker Buster" bomb while flying at supersonic speeds, hitting its target with deadly accuracy. Translated, the terrorists in the bunkers won't hear anything when they are blown hundreds of feet into the ground.

[Montaignes Cat]

Factsheet on f-22A Raptor :

http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=199

[Tom Bombadil]

So what is this thing capable of? How does it compare to others?

Against all other aircraft, this thing close to science fiction. Mach 1.5+ without afterburner. Electronics that act as a second crewmember. Vectored exhaust and can turn on dime at high speed/high altitude. Stealth. Radar is almost undetectable and can be used to jam opponents. Supersonic release of weapons.

And that is just scratching the surface.