US Air Force requests 60% increase in 6th gen fighter funding in ‘22

[F-22Raptor]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1398329749064269831

 

[Mk-313]

It’s going be sad to see the raptor retired

 

[hyperman]

It’s going be sad to see the raptor retired

I don't see the Raptor retiring anytime soon, but once a 6th gen fighter is in production, idk how much sense it makes for keeping the raptor in operation, due to cost of operations. with 4th gen fighters upgraded with avionics and add ons, you can do much of what you need, and its very unlikely that 6th gen manned fighters will be produced in numbers to completely replace the f-16s and other platforms. going forward I think we will see more low cost drones and Loyal Wingman UCAVs compliment and providing the bulk of platforms with specialized tasks assigned to manned 6th gen fighters which are produced in much lower numbers.