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F-22 Raptor vs F-35A Lightning II: how to tell them apart

Two combat aircraft that are easy to mix up at a glance. Here is what tells them apart.

F-22 Raptor, combat aircraft from USA

F-22 Raptor

Combat aircraft, USA. In service since 2005

What gives it away

Stealth fighter with diamond-shaped wings, two outward-canted tails, large horizontal tailplanes and flat engine nozzles.

Used by

USA

Photo: U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Ryan Crane, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
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F-35A Lightning II

Combat aircraft, USA. In service since 2016

What gives it away

Single-engine stealth fighter with twin canted tail fins, faceted fuselage and a single round exhaust.

Used by

USA, Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Israel, Japan, Australia and others

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