gistfile1.txt

The F-22 goes really really high (I wish I could say how high, it's impressive as shit, but I can't). That's the real reason it has thrust vectoring and massive control surfaces; it goes up to where you need those to maneuver worth a damn. Other aircraft (even Flanker variants) may be able to go that high, but they can't maneuver when they get up there because they have smaller control surfaces. The fact that this gives the Raptor supermaneuverability at more "conventional" altitudes is a really nice side benefit. And the Raptor's really really fast to boot. It's a race horse that wants to go fast. Pilots have to be careful not to go supersonic on takeoff before they reach the end of the runway. And it's radar is scary accurate (again, I wish I could go into detail). That combination of speed, altitude, the ability to see (very clearly) without being seen? That makes the F-22 an apex predator. It's a Great White Shark or the creature from "Alien." Sure, you can see it if it wants you to, but it's an ambush predator. It can sneak up on you, kill you, and disappear to do it all again when it wants to. Raptor drivers don't call them Eagles or Vipers or Hornets, they call them "Raptor Training Aides."