Stealth

Although several recent Western fighters have had measures introduced to make them less detectable on radar, such as radar absorbent material coated S shaped intake ducts that shield the compressor fan from reflecting radar waves, the F-22A design has placed a much higher degree of importance on making the plane more difficult to detect than has previously been seen in fighter designs.

Previous stealth aircraft have been plagued by deployment problems due to maintenance-intensive radar absorbing materials and coatings, which are susceptible to weather conditions.[20] Unlike the B-2, which requires climate-controlled hangars, the F-22 can undergo repairs on the flight line orin a normal hangar.[20] Furthermore, the F-22 has a warning system (called "Signature Assessment System" or "SAS") which presents warning indicators when routine wear-and-tear have degraded the aircraft's radar signature to the point of requiring more substantial repairs.[20]