Paul Metz Chief Test Pilot F 22 in an interview with Karlo Kopp The decision to integrate the technologies of stealth supercruise super maneuverability and sensor fusion was the result of significant advances in each of these areas in the 1970s and 80s In particular stealth technology had advanced to the point that high lift high angle of attack aerodynamic shapes could co exist with stealth requirements This was a significant evolution from the first generation stealth aircraft represented by the SR 71 and A 12 Second generation stealth as evidenced by the F 117 had yet to allow aerodynamic efficiency to co exist with stealth Only with the third generation of stealth inherent in the B 2 bomber were we able to achieve efficient aerodynamic shapes with a low radar signature So much for the less stealth better aerodynamics theory