A striking new video from the Dubai Show captured the U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptor performing one of the most advanced aerial demonstrations ever witnessed in the region. The fifth-generation fighter executed extreme high-angle-of-attack maneuvers, including aggressive turns, deep post-stall recoveries, and rapid changes in vectoring—all made possible by its thrust-vectoring engines and superior aerodynamic design.

Spectators watched as the F-22 climbed nearly vertically before pivoting into controlled motion at angles exceeding 60 degrees, a regime where most aircraft lose lift and stability. Instead, the Raptor maintained precise control, demonstrating its ability to fight—and survive—in conditions that would render conventional fighters uncontrollable. The performance underscored why the aircraft remains unmatched in close-in combat agility more than two decades after its introduction.

The video also highlighted the Raptor’s ability to rapidly transition from a stalled state back into powered, directional flight—an advanced capability that only a handful of aircraft worldwide can replicate. Defense analysts noted that these demonstrations are not merely for show: they mirror the F-22’s designed combat advantages, enabling the jet to dominate in last-ditch dogfight scenarios where angles, timing, and instantaneous thrust control determine survival.

The display comes at a time of heightened regional interest in advanced airpower, with U.S. partners and allies increasingly evaluating their defense postures amid growing missile and drone threats. The Raptor’s performance served as a reminder of America’s unmatched air superiority and the strategic edge that comes with maintaining the world’s most capable fifth-generation fleet.

For supporters of a strong U.S. military posture—and those who recognize the importance of American technological dominance in securing Israel and stabilizing the broader Middle East—the Dubai demonstration reinforced a simple truth: even as adversaries boast about missiles and new capabilities, no nation has yet matched the air combat performance of the United States’ premier fighter.