Syria's air defence: Catalyst for F‑22 Raptor's creation
Although the F-22 Raptor was developed and test-flown in the 20th century, it is still considered one of the most advanced combat aircraft in the world. The programme for building this aircraft was initially in jeopardy; however, the decision to produce the Raptor was made, in part, due to Syria's expansion of its air defence system, recalls the U.S. Secretary of the Air Force.
Syria saved the introduction into service and production of the F-22 Raptor aircraft, stated U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. During a discussion organised by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, the politician, who has held various defence-related positions since the 1980s and was involved in creating the requirements for the Raptor, revealed the behind-the-scenes story of this aircraft's service acceptance.
This occurred at a time when a full-scale conflict with a technologically advanced adversary, for which the F-22 was designed, was becoming increasingly unlikely. The aircraft was created as a result of the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) programme, defeating the competing YF-23 design developed by Northrop for the contract.
Cuts in defence spending in the U.S. after the Soviet Union's defeat and the dissolution of the military bloc built by Moscow also cast doubt on the future of the Raptor.
The F-22 Raptor was developed thanks to Syrian air defence
According to Frank Kendall, the factor that determined the start of serial production of this aircraft turned out to be Syria, which at the time possessed one of the most advanced anti-aircraft systems in the world.
Its components – apart from numerous individual MANPADS anti-aircraft sets like the Strela launchers – included short, medium, and long-range systems of Soviet production.
The strength of the Syrian defence, as estimated by the Pentagon, was significant enough that – to have the capability to overcome it – the decision was made to deploy a very expensive aircraft, with production eventually limited to just 187 units.
More than 20 years later, in 2014, the F-22 Raptor made its combat debut in Syria. These aircraft were then used by the United States for airstrikes against Daesh positions.
