The US Air Force wants to scrap 32 F-22 Raptor fifth-generation Block 20 fighters at once

The United States Air Force has made another attempt to retire its fifth-generation F-22 Raptor fighter jets. A new request has been submitted to the US Congress.

Here's What We Know

Last year the US Air Force wanted to get rid of 33 fifth-generation fighters. The savings were planned to be used for other projects, including Next Generation Air Dominance, which is developing a sixth-generation fighter jet. But the US Congress responded by saying no.

A year has passed and the US Air Force has made a second attempt. Now the service is requesting permission to decommission 32 F-22 Raptor fighters of Block 20 level. These are single-seat F-22A aircraft, which at this stage are not combat-ready and are used mainly for training purposes. After that the number will be reduced to 151 units.

The F-22 is the first fifth-generation fighter aircraft. Production began in 1996 and lasted until 2011. During this time 187 aircraft were produced. The only operator of the Raptor is the United States.

Source: Defence News