In a stunning display of aviation prowess, a newly surfaced video showing an F-22 Raptor 'activating its cloaking device' is taking social media by storm – and people can't help but question its authenticity. While it sounds like something straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster, this exceptional footage captures a real moment that will fascinate any aviation enthusiast.

The F-22 Raptor: An Icon of Aviation History

The F-22 Raptor has a storied history as one of the most advanced fighter jets ever built for the United States Air Force. Having first taken to the skies in 1997, following six years of intensive development, it was designed to ensure air superiority in modern warfare. In 2021, speculation arose about the potential retirement of the F-22 by the end of the decade, but recent decisions by the Air Force to upgrade the jets extend their operational life into the 2030s.

Behind the 'Cloaking Device'

Despite the sensational descriptions, the F-22 does not possess a true 'cloaking device.' The mesmerizing effect seen in Fingar's video is actually the formation of a vapor cone as the jet nears the sound barrier. General flight physics dictate that as the jet speeds up, it creates a sudden change in pressure and temperature around it, leading to condensation of water vapor which obscures the jet from view temporarily.

What Causes Vapor Cones?

Vapor cones occur due to the intricate interplay of physics as objects move rapidly through moist air. When the air pressure surrounding a high-speed object decreases, the temperature follows suit, triggering the formation of a cloud that can dramatically obscure the jet. Rod Irvine, chairman of the Royal Aeronautical Society’s aerodynamics group, emphasized this concept, stating, "If you see a vapor cone, you’ve got a shockwave due to a localized pressure drop."

The swift clips of the F-22 captured by Mark Fingar have ignited conversation online, with one Twitter user exclaiming, "Mark Fingar captured an F-22 Raptor activating its cloaking device!" While others compared the extraordinary visuals to something out of a fantasy world, such as a Harry Potter film, with quips like, "It's how they play peekaboo in the clouds."