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The US Air Force plans to upgrade the F-22 Raptor with around $8-9 billion allocated for modernization by the end of the decade, ensuring its operational capability until 2060. Upgrades will include stealth coatings, avionics enhancements, and improved weapons systems.

Each upgrade costs approximately $50 million per unit. The Air Force is focusing on extending the F-22's life due to delays in the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program and concerns about the reliability of the proposed F-47 sixth-generation aircraft. The F-22's latest enhancements aim to maintain its status as the most advanced fighter jet, with a focus on compatibility with the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.