As I understand it, China does have the numbers. Are you saying we only have enough armament to take out four aircraft at range before replenishing munitions.
If not we could pick off a fair amount before they got in tight.
It also seems like we could supplement with F-35s to round out our full contingent. That way the F-22s would take on the most capable enemy targets.
F-22s carry 6 missiles. Then it’s a gunfight. The stealthy characteristics and the radar give the edge.