On March 21, 2026, aviation photographer Jarod Hamilton captured the clearest public images yet of an F-22A Raptor flying with stealth-shaped external fuel tanks and faceted mission pods, including one with an apparent infrared or electro-optical sensor aperture. The images reveal a concrete upgrade to the U.S. Air Force’s premier air-superiority fighter, aimed at extending survivable range and enabling passive target detection in high-threat environments. Read Full Defense News At This Link.
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| New images show an F-22 Raptor flying with stealth fuel tanks and sensor pods, signaling a U.S. push to extend range and boost passive detection in high-threat air combat (Picture Source: Jarod Hamilton on X) |