F-22’s ‘Catfish’ 757 Testbed Spotted Carrying Raptor’s New Infrared Sensor Pod
Summary
Boeing's heavily modified 757 Flying Test Bed, nicknamed "Catfish," was recently photographed at Edwards Air Force Base carrying a stealthy infrared sensor pod beneath its fuselage, reportedly the first time the aircraft has been seen transporting a store in this position. The pod is part of the broader "Raptor 2.0" upgrade package being developed for the F-22, which includes an Infrared Defensive System (IRDS) featuring an integrated distributed infrared search and track capability. Catfish has served as a critical systems integration testbed for the F-22 since the 1990s, featuring a modified nose that replicates the Raptor's profile and houses the same AN/APG-77 AESA radar, making it a natural choice for continued sensor testing. Using Catfish for this testing offers practical advantages over actual F-22s, including its ability to carry dozens of engineers and technicians with dedicated workstations, while avoiding the high fuel, maintenance, and operational costs associated with the limited fleet of Raptors. The Raptor 2.0 upgrade program encompasses numerous improvements including new stealthy drop tanks, enhanced radar and electronic warfare capabilities, and modifications to enable F-22s to control Collaborative Combat Aircraft drones, reflecting the Air Force's commitment to keeping the Raptor operational for decades to come.
Key Takeaways
- 1. Boeing's "Catfish" 757 testbed was spotted carrying an F-22 infrared sensor pod under its fuselage for the first time, supporting the Raptor 2.0 upgrade program
- 2. The infrared sensor pod is part of a new Infrared Defensive System (IRDS), an IRST technology that passively detects targets via heat emissions and is immune to radio frequency jamming
- 3. Using Catfish as a testbed offers significant cost and logistical advantages over testing on actual F-22s, which are expensive, fuel-intensive, and limited in number
- 4. The broader Raptor 2.0 upgrade package includes stealthy drop tanks, improved radar and electronic warfare systems, and drone control capabilities for Collaborative Combat Aircraft
- 5. The U.S. Air Force has abandoned a firm F-22 retirement timeline, committing to long-term upgrades while also leveraging the Raptor as a surrogate platform for Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) development