I'm not going to attempt to make a case for the F-22 in a technical manner, I'm not qualified. (You probably aren't either) and the fact that they are astronomically expensive is regrettable. So I won't say anything other than this: all of the war tactics we have actually used in the last 60 years have depended on ground troops having air support. The US has almost always, since 1945, had air superiority and has usually had air supremacy. The F-22 is designed to rid the skies of all hostile aircraft, no matter what. In that way, it can be considered the lynch pin of the Country's defense.
OK, now for some neat pictures:
