Lockheed Martin may equip the F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcon with low drag, stealthy fuel tanks that are designed for the F-22 Raptor

Low drag fuel tanks for the F-22 Raptor are potentially applicable to other aircraft, including the F-35 Lightning II. This was stated by O. O.J. Sanchez.

Here's What We Know

The F-22 Raptor is an expensive fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The U.S. Air Force has more than 180 of the aircraft in service. Lockheed Martin is ready to extend its service life into the 2040s and intends to increase the number of modernised fighters to more than 100 by the end of the year.

On the other hand, the US Air Force wants to start writing off aircraft. О. Jay Sanchez said that even if the fifth-generation fighters are retired, the investment in them will not be lost. The developments that came out of the F-22 programme will be used in the sixth-generation fighters.

OJ Sanchez also spoke about the "applicability" of low drag, stealthy fuel tanks. The Lockheed Martin executive believes the tanks for the F-22 Raptor could be fitted to other fighters, including the F-35 Lightning II, F-16 Fighting Falcon and T-50 Golden Eagle.

But at this point, it's just Lockheed Martin's thoughts on how some of the technology created for the F-22 can be retained when the U.S. Air Force scraps the fighters. О. J. J. Sanchez does not claim that the F-35 is 100 per cent guaranteed to be fitted with fuel tanks from the Raptor.

If the previously mentioned "applicability" exists, the company will do everything to realise the possibility. After that, the U.S. Air Force will be able to decide for each aircraft whether they need it.

Source: Air & Space Forces Magazine