F-22A Squadrons

This major thrust is comprised of, but not limited to: Combined Test Force (CTF), Laboratory Test and Operations (LTO), F-22 Small Projects, Operational Software Development and Reliability and Maintainability Program (RAMP) projects. Labs and CTF are required continuous activities that plan and conduct development, integration, test, and verification of Operational Flight Programs (OFPs), modernization efforts, and other software and hardware in support of the F-22 Raptor. Labs provide test and certification support, operations, maintenance, staffing, technical refresh, and lab expansion System Integration Laboratories (SILs) and sub-system laboratories to include but not limited to: Agile Integration Lab (AIL) with the Flying Test Bed (FTB), Ogden Test Enterprise (OTE) Lab, Air Combat Simulation (ACS) Lab, and the Vehicle System Simulator (VSS) Lab. The F-22 CTF located at Edwards Air Force Base, CA, is the only developmental test capability for the entire F-22 enterprise. It conducts full-up weapons system and modernization testing to assess the effectiveness of the F-22 combined characteristics of stealth, speed, maneuverability, and integrated avionics upon mission accomplishment. The CTF uses operationally significant ground and flight test scenarios to identify system performance deficiencies early before they are more difficult and costly to resolve. Engines on CTF aircraft are supported under Infrastructure as well. F-22 Infrastructure efforts include the systematic refresh of the F-22 developmental test enterprise. Funding may also be used to resolve Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) and/or obsolescence issues. DMSMS activities may include, but are not limited to, bridge buys, life of type buys, buys to protect production schedule, and minor engineering efforts. F-22 Small Projects provides technology studies, demonstrations, and integration of capabilities to include, but not limited to, Low Observable (LO) signature management, threat modeling support, Developmental Test (DT) weapon assets, weapons, Pilot Training (PT), Pilot Vehicle Interface (PVI), countermeasures, helmet, future crypto upgrades, and Open System Architecture (OSA) / Open Systems Enclave (OSE) activities. Additionally, Small Projects include program requirements associated with cyber security, flight test engine refurbishment, support equipment development, Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), Engine Enhancements (or similar), and Electronic Warfare (EW) system enhancements to counter evolving threats. Operational Software Development utilizes commercially available agile and lean best practices to transform and accelerate the F-22 OFP upgrade process. This includes, but is not limited to, the expansion of a cloud-based software development environment and partnering with commercial companies to adopt industry product development best practices. The Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability Program (RAMP) provides solutions to improve reliability, availability, and maintainability (RAM) for the F-22 fleet. The associated RAMP implementation efforts (O&S funded) develop candidate initiatives, which are down-selected by Air Combat Command, based on development maturity and impact on the F-22 life cycle costs. RDT&E funding within Infrastructure may be used to improve Reliability, Availability, Maintainability (RAM) on F-22 test aircraft as part of the overarching F-22 RAMP effort. The F-22 In-a-Box (IAB) is a software instance of F-22 Pilot Vehicle Interface (PVI), and Operational Flight Program (OFP) designed to operate within the Joint Simulation Environment (JSE), Program mission support costs are included in this major thrust.

Technology maturation, risk reduction, studies, demonstrations and prototypes of classified F-22 development efforts. The F-22 Advanced Technology Development (ATD) program is conducted using a rapid acquisition construct allowing the F-22 Raptor enterprise to develop, test, and field software/hardware from various programs (product lines) leveraging the scheduled release cadence for capabilities as they mature.

Hybrid SATCOM will increase F-22 beyond line-of-sight capabilities through multi-vendor commercial and government owned satellite communications devices through a multi-phased approach. This program has been separated into its own major thrust from Viability beginning in FY26.

HMDCS enables the F-22 to take full advantage of the airframe's advanced weapons and increase battlefield situational awareness - increasing both lethality and survivability. HMDCS will shorten the kill chain and increase pilot situational awareness by allowing the pilot to quickly acquire and designate off-boresight targets. This program is separated into its own major thrust from Infrastructure beginning in FY26.

Sensor Systems improves sensor capabilities to maintain air superiority and preserve first look, first shot, and first kill capability. This includes developing and maturing advanced Infrared Search & Track (IRST) sensor capabilities.

IAW CDGM 09-22-03 for Resilient Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), the Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna (CRPA) product line will replace the F-22's legacy Fixed Reception Pattern Array (FRPA) antenna. CRPA provides advanced antenna technologies which will dramatically reduce an adversary's ability to jam or otherwise interfere with GPS signals.

In compliance with M-Code Mandate Public Law 111-383, EGI-M will provide an M-Code compliant, anti-spoofing PNT solution to prevent exploitation of the weapon system by adversaries, enable more accurate tracking of GPS satellites, and support a more secure and flexible cryptography architecture. This effort covers the M-Code Weapons product line and EGI-M integration, test, software, and hardware necessary to ensure the F-22's ability to employ M-Code configured weapons and field the EGI-M. The AF Weapons Program Office is scheduled to field M-Code- enabled weapons prior to the availability of an M-Code GPS solution for the F-22.

Develop, enhance, and field L16, OSA, and Multifunction Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) hardware/software/firmware capabilities to enable tactical data sharing between 5th generation and 4th generation aircraft. The OSA implementation provides a pathway to a more competitive and open F-22 modernization that will provide infrastructure enhancements to enable future combat capabilities.

Mode 5 IFFC is a Joint Requirements Oversight Council-mandated Blue Force identification capability that improves Raptor survivability, reduces fratricide risk DoD-wide, and The Mode 5 IFFC capability incorporates new and updated hardware and software to add a new waveform, new cryptography, and additional data.

The F-22 Low Drag Tanks and Pylons (LDTP) are advanced technological designs providing increased persistence and range while maintaining lethality and survivability. The low drag tanks are intended to minimally increase drag for external tank carriage, facilitate supersonic flight with external tanks and extend the range of the F-22. The pylons are equipped with smart rack pneumatic technology to accurately control ejection performance and minimize drag without stores. LDTP risk reduction activities were captured under the ATD major thrust. Documentation of the development and integration components as part of the EMD program is captured under the LDTP major thrust.

Viability includes the Infrared Defensive System (IRDS), Geyser+, high-bandwidth satellite communications capabilities, and other programs to address future threats. IRDS is the Program of Record (PoR) for the F-22's Missile Launch Detector (MLD) modernization effort that is focused on detection of long-range Air to Air Missile (AAM) / Surface to Air Missile (SAM) threats and includes replacing legacy MLDs and Open System Architecture (OSA) SW Integration. Geyser+ is a critical capability to address future threats. High-bandwidth satellite communications capabilities increase pilot situational awareness and effectiveness in coordinated operations and information sharing. Viability reflects the continuation of work that began as risk reduction and technology maturation activities in the ATD major thrust. Documentation of the development and integration components as part of the EMD program will be captured under the Viability major thrust.

The Cryptographic Modernization program will update F-22 radios with revised interoperability and cryptographic security requirements as mandated by the Second Generation Anti-Jam Tactical UHF Radio for NATO (SATURN), U.S. Procurement Specification SS103118. This major thrust also covers F-22 program activities required to update Tactical Secure Voice Cryptographic Interoperability Specification (TSVCIS) 2.1 to version 3.1.1, a key component of Cryptographic Modernization Planning as directed by CJCSI-6510.02D and IAW with guidance from the National Cryptographic Solution Management Office (NSCMO), dated August 2020.