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Answer :
Thanks for a great question! I was involved in development of parts of the F-22 when I was in the Pentagon. It’s a great aircraft that achieves its superior performance through a variety of technology. The late model F-16s I flew all required afterburner to break the sound barrier in level flight, although without any external stores, it would cruise just above Mach 1 without afterburner. The USAF defines “supercruise” as “the ability to cruise at speeds of one and a half times the speed of sound or greater without the use of afterburner for extended periods in combat configuration”. The F-22 can do this through a combination of a “clean” aerodynamic design, with low drag, and two powerful Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 engines. Together, they provide the required thrust without afterburner to sustain flight above Mach 1 for long periods of time with much less fuel burn than a conventional fighter. The F-22 is the only fighter in the world today that has this ability, and even the new F-35 will not be able to supercruise.
Lt Col (ret) Mike Carter
F-16 Pilot
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