The aircraft's designation was changed again to F-22A when it achieved initial operating capability (IOC) in December 2005.
Initial operational test and evaluation began in April 2004 and was successfully completed in February 2005.
A further 60 Raptors were ordered in July 2007, bringing the total ordered to 183, with production to 2011.
In November 2008, $40m of funding for four additional raptors was approved by the Pentagon, increasing the total ordered jets to 187, with the buying scheduled in the second half of the fiscal year 2009.
