US tests F-22 Raptor with stealth fuel tanks for long-range missions

The United States is testing a modified F-22 Raptor configuration featuring stealth-shaped external fuel tanks and mission sensor pods, aiming to extend the aircraft’s range and enhance its passive detection capabilities. Photographed on March 21, 2026, the upgraded F-22A carries angular, low-observable external tanks designed to reduce radar signature compared to conventional drop tanks, allowing the aircraft to retain additional fuel during high-threat missions without compromising stealth. This innovation addresses limitations of older external tanks, which increased radar cross-section and were typically discarded before combat, thereby improving the Raptor’s endurance and operational flexibility in contested airspace. In addition to the stealth fuel tanks, the F-22 is equipped with two faceted sensor pods under the wings, one featuring a transparent forward aperture likely housing an infrared search and track (IRST) or electro-optical sensor. This passive sensing capability would enable the aircraft to detect and track targets via heat signatures without emitting radar signals, enhancing survivability amid modern electronic warfare environments