When America created the F22 Raptor, it seemed like science fiction. No other country had anything close to such an airplane. Even in appearance, it was dramatically different from any fighter aircraft created before it. The Raptor seemed like an alien from other worlds and fully justified its name. And even now, almost a quarter of a century after its introduction into service, many of the aircraft's characteristics remain unsurpassed. In our fastpaced age, when many achievements become obsolete after barely being born, this is an outstanding result.