Hobbyboss 80210 1/72 F-22A Raptor Airplane Model Kit

In the early 1970s, the US military, through the "1985 Study", foresaw the serious threat posed by ground - based air defense systems to tactical aircraft in future operations. This led to the initial concept of the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program.

In the late 1970s, new Soviet fighter jets such as the MiG - 29, Su - 27, and MiG - 31 emerged successively. These aircraft posed a severe challenge to NATO's air power. In response to this threat, the US Air Force urgently needed a new fighter jet that could be in service by the mid - 1990s.

In 1981, the "Phase 0" plan of the ATF project was approved, officially starting the concept exploration phase. In 1986, the YF - 22 of Lockheed and the YF - 23 of Northrop were shortlisted for the demonstration and validation stage. In 1991, the YF - 22 won the competition and entered the engineering and manufacturing phase.

In 1997, the production - model F - 22 made its first flight, and it was officially commissioned in 2005. As the world's first fifth - generation fighter jet, with features such as stealth, supersonic cruise, and high maneuverability, it aimed to gain air superiority and counter the advanced Soviet fighter jets and air - defense systems.