This is the F-22, the world’s most powerful fighter jet used by the US to shoot down Chinese balloons and mysterious ‘objects’ over Canada and Alaska

F-22 Raptor fighter jets shot down three mysterious objects flying over South Carolina, Alaska and Canada in recent days They are the pride of the United States Air Force.however he never encountered an enemy ship.

The closest it came was when one of these models nearly collided with a Russian warplane in Syria in 2017.

An F-22 was in charge of the mission.

And last week, when a Chinese “spy” balloon was shot down off the coast of South Carolina, an F-22 missile shot it down in the waters of the Atlantic.

Earlier according to the report of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), The main task of these warplanes was to intercept Russian bombers and warships off the coast of Alaska.A Pacific region where two countries meet.

One of the most recent incidents occurred in June 2020, when two Russian bombers, two Russian fighter jets and a Russian early warning and control aircraft came within 20 nautical miles of the Alaskan coast, NORAD reported in a statement.

According to the statement, the second formation consisted of two bombers and an airborne early warning and control aircraft, which arrived within 32 nautical miles of the state.

These meetings are part of the long-standing military tension between the US and Russia. Truth is this F-22s have never engaged in air combat,

In fact, there are Chinese “spy” balloons and “objects” found in Alaska and Canada. First air-to-air offensive casualty After almost two decades of service of these warships.

Defense Department spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said on Friday, “The aircraft that shot down the object was an F-22 taking off from Joint Base Elmdorf in Alaska and an AIM-9X (missile) was used to engage the target.” “

“We have no further details of the object at this time, including any description of its capabilities, purpose or origin. The object was the size of a small car, so it was not similar in size or shape to a high-altitude surveillance balloon.” Which was shot down off the coast of South Carolina on February 4th,” Ryder said.

The US Air Force describes the F-22 as: “It is a combination of stealth, supercruise, maneuverability and integrated avionics, and together with improved support capability, represents an exponential leap in combat capabilities.”

He insisted, “The F-22 cannot be matched by any known or anticipated fighter aircraft.”

It has the ability to engage ground and air targets from high altitude, is undetectable by radar, capable of traveling at twice the speed of sound, and is capable of carrying powerful warheads that according to the Air Force “kill threats first.” gives an opportunity of”. ,

Built by the Lockheed Martin and Boeing companies, this military aircraft began operations in December 2005. It was briefly designated the F/A-22, but was later changed to the F-22.

Until now, there is no other military aircraft in the world that has a more powerful engine. That advantage and its aerodynamic design allow it to fly at supersonic speeds.

“The F-22’s features provide a synergistic effect that ensures the F-22A’s lethality against all advanced air threats,” notes the Air Force.

As of August 2022, this military corporation had 183 ships of this model, with a unit cost of $ 143 million.

These aircraft weigh 43,340 pounds (19,700 kg), have a wingspan of 44 feet (13 m), length 62 feet (about 19 m), and height 16 feet (5 m). A single charge of fuel allows them to go over 1,850 miles and can exceed 50,000 feet (15 kilometers) in altitude.

Its armament includes an M61A2 20mm cannon with 480 rounds, two AIM-9 infrared air-to-air missiles (heat-seeking) and two AIM-120 radar-guided air-to-air missiles (air-to-surface charges) .

The Air Force noted, “Advances in low detection technologies provide significantly improved survivability and lethality against air-to-air and ground-to-air threats.”

Interestingly, only one pilot can operate these powerful aircraft.