The US Air Force startled observers when, back in June, it publicly backed away from its most high-profile project – a potentially $60-billion effort to develop and build 200 new heavyweight, sixth-generation stealth fighters to replace its existing fleet of 180 F-22 Raptor fifth-gen stealth fighters.
The Raptor dates from the 2000s, but unlike the following F-35 it was built largely without regard for expense: it was the best fighter the US, with its unmatched expertise in stealth and other advanced technologies, could build. Russia and China have since produced their own fifth-gen designs, but they are not generally thought to be as capable. In the opinion of most analysts, the Raptor is the best fighter jet in the world. But it won’t last forever.
