F-22 Raptor | Is it Worth the Price? Explained by a Thunderbird
About this video
Max analyzes F-22 Raptor demonstration footage, breaking down various maneuvers including the Cobra, J-turn, and Split-S from a fighter pilot perspective. He recounts his own experience fighting against an F-22, describing how the aircraft used a Cobra maneuver followed by a vertical climb that his F-15E could not match. Max argues that the F-22 is worth its cost, comparing it to a well-rounded sports team and praising its stealth, thrust vectoring, pilot skill, and situational awareness.
Key takeaways
- Max explains that the F-22’s high thrust-to-weight ratio (approximately 70,000 lbs thrust versus 60,000 lbs fully fueled weight) enables extreme maneuverability including sustained vertical climbs after performing a Cobra maneuver.
- Max recounts a dogfight where an F-22 performed a Cobra maneuver to force an overshoot, then used its thrust-to-weight advantage to climb vertically and gain a position behind him, ending the engagement in the F-22’s favor.
- Max argues the F-22 is worth its cost, describing it as a ‘guard dog’ that keeps adversaries at distance through its combination of stealth, maneuverability, systems integration, and highly trained pilots with exceptional situational awareness.
Episode details: published July 21, 2022 · 25.5K views · 12:29 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. The analysis and commentary described are Max Afterburner’s, attributed to him — his channel includes hypothetical-scenario and news-react content, which is presented as his analysis, not established fact.
← Previous: Thunderbird Pilot Reacts to Behind Enemy Lines · Next: Thunderbird Pilot Reacts to Comments →
All Max Afterburner videos · Max Afterburner profile · Max Afterburner on YouTube
You Might Also Enjoy

4th-Gen Viper Outclasses Legacy Jet: Wings Off and Fight Over
Explore →
TOPGUN and Thunderbird Fighter Pilot React to SU-57 Airshow
Explore →
Real Fighter Pilot REACTS to Russian MiG-35 Airshow Demonstration
Explore →
Thunderbird Fighter Pilot Reacts to Top Gun Maverick Dogfight SU-57 vs F-14 DCS
Explore →
U.S. Military Just FLEXED The F-22 On Iran's Mullahs
Explore →