The F-22 has been extensively designed, tested and refined aerodynamically in all phases of development.
Because of the F-22's sophisticated aero-design and high thrust-to-weight ratio, it can easily outmaneuver all current and projected threat aircraft, both at medium and high altitudes.
Supersonic persistence
The F-22's engines produce more thrust than any current fighter engine, especially in military (non-afterburner) power. Called "supercruise," this characteristic allows the F-22 to efficiently cruise at supersonic airspeeds without using afterburners. This capability greatly expands the F-22's operating envelope in both speed and range over current fighters that must use afterburner to operate at supersonic speeds.
The traditional design approach stresses increases in aerodynamic performance, while the F-22 emphasizes two additional technologies: supercruise and agility.
Supercruise
"Supercruise" is the term given to the capability of sustaining supersonic speeds for long periods of time.
Conventional fighters, while capable of supersonic flight, can only sustain these speeds for relatively short periods as the result of excessively high fuel consumption using afterburner. The F-22 can cruise supersonically without afterburner and, therefore, can sustain these speeds for long periods.
The question could be asked "So what?"
The answer would be that the enemy must react to any intruder and that reaction time to detect, aim weapons and launch, is severely reduced when the intruder is moving fast.
At supercruise speeds, the F-22 (and its pilot) becomes less vulnerable to enemy missiles and aircraft simply because they cannot react fast enough.
Agility
"Agility" is the ability of the F-22 pilot to point and shoot with his aircraft, pirouetting, and facing the enemy with his weapons at all speeds.
The F-22 pilot can maintain control of the aircraft at speeds as low as that of a Piper Cub or at very high supersonic speeds.
Information from the web sites of Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Pratt & Whitney were used in this story.