Tasked with assuring American air dominance and force projection into the 21st century, the F-22 Raptor is the Air Force's most sophisticated fighter. It combines 4th-generation stealth and superior maneuverability with ample internal precision weapons carriage, including air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles such as JDAM.

Moreover, advancements in production have streamlined the cost of manufacturing the F-22. Special design features keep maintenance down and reliability high. Over time, the F-22 will be cheaper to operate than the aging F-15.

As the Air Force and Congress continue to ponder the future of this aircraft, it's more important now than ever to understand the value of the F-22 Raptor in terms of fighter capabilities and economics.