Start building your LEGO Air Force today with this Mini LEGO Custom F-22 Raptor fighter jet! This Custom Set is made from 100% real LEGO bricks. Small, but mighty this Mini F-22 is 6.5 inches long and is built by using 91 LEGO pieces, including 40 unique elements. This set arrives un-assembled and includes printed, easy to follow instructions that take you step by step through this fun build! Check out a sample of the instructions in the photos above! I take great pride in designing and offering these sets using 100% new LEGO, and hope to inspire others to get building! -Thanks Matt
The F-22 Raptor, a pinnacle of modern air superiority, originated in the 1980s as part of the U.S. Air Force’s Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program, aimed at countering emerging Soviet threats like the Su-27 and MiG-29. Launched in 1981, the ATF sought a stealthy, supercruise-capable fighter with unmatched agility and sensor fusion. Lockheed Martin, teamed with Boeing and General Dynamics, competed against Northrop and McDonnell Douglas in a high-stakes fly-off between the YF-22 and YF-23 prototypes. The YF-22 first flew on September 29, 1990, piloted by Dave Ferguson, and after extensive testing, it won the contract in April 1991 due to its superior maneuverability and production readiness. This marked the beginning of a transformative leap in fighter technology.
Development of the F-22 was a complex and costly endeavor, blending cutting-edge stealth, thrust-vectoring engines, and advanced avionics into a single platform. The production model, designated F-22A, took its maiden flight on September 7, 1997, from Marietta, Georgia, with test pilot Paul Metz at the helm. Entering service with the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, in December 2005, the Raptor boasted a radar cross-section smaller than a bumblebee’s, powered by twin Pratt & Whitney F119 engines enabling supercruise speeds over Mach 1.5 without afterburners. However, the program faced scrutiny as costs soared to $66.7 billion for just 187 aircraft—far below the planned 750—reflecting post-Cold War budget cuts and shifting priorities.
The F-22’s operational history is unique, as it has never flown in a full-scale air-to-air conflict matching its design intent. Its combat debut came in September 2014, striking ISIS targets in Syria with precision-guided munitions, showcasing its versatility beyond dogfighting. The Raptor has since supported operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, often in air-to-ground roles, though its primary mission remains air dominance. Exercises like Red Flag consistently demonstrate its prowess, with kill ratios reportedly exceeding 100-to-1 against simulated foes. Yet, its high maintenance demands—$44,000 per flight hour—and lack of export approval due to classified technology have limited its footprint, keeping it exclusive to the U.S. Air Force.
As of 2025, the F-22 remains a cornerstone of American air power, stationed at bases like Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. The fleet, capped at 183 operational aircraft after losses (including a 2010 crash in Alaska), has undergone upgrades to enhance its radar, weapons, and data-linking capabilities, such as integration with the AIM-9X missile. However, the Raptor faces obsolescence pressures from the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program and the F-35, which offers broader multi-role flexibility. While the Air Force plans to retire the F-22 by the mid-2030s, its legacy as the first fifth-generation fighter endures, a testament to engineering ambition and a Cold War vision adapted to modern skies.
Guarantee: All sets come with a 100% money back guarantee. If you are not satisfied for any reason- just ship it back for a 100% refund. -Thanks Matt
Shipping Info:
You will get an email with USPS tracking info once it ships. These sets ship securely in a white, sturdy, corrugated cardboard BLOCKJets mailer box. The box will then be sealed in a white poly mailer bag to protect your set and the printed color instructions from the elements during transit and delivery.
DISCLAIMER: This is not a LEGO® Product. These are new LEGO elements that have been repackaged. LEGO is a trademark of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this product. The LEGO Group and BLOCK Jets are not liable for any loss, injury or damage arising from the use or misuse of this product.
