Boeing’s highly modified 757 Flying Test Bed, known as “Catfish,” was recently spotted carrying a stealthy infrared sensor pod linked to the US Air Force’s F-22 Raptor 2.0 upgrade program, first reported by The War Zone. The aircraft has long served as a key test platform for F-22 technologies, and the new pod is designed to enhance the fighter’s infrared search-and-track (IRST) capabilities, improving its ability to detect stealthy targets and operate in contested environments.
F-22’s ‘Catfish’ 757 Testbed Spotted Carrying Raptor’s New Infrared Sensor Pod
The Catfish 757 has spent decades supporting the F-22 program, and that work now extends to testing external stores.https://t.co/VvdTy3Zw45
— TWZ (@thewarzonewire) June 11, 2026
Boeing’s unique 757 “Catfish” Flying Test Bed was created to test the F-22 Raptor’s radar, sensors, and avionics in flight before they were installed on the fighter. The aircraft features an F-22-style radar nose, a distinctive canard above the cockpit that simulates the fighter’s wing sensor layout, and a replica F-22 cockpit, allowing engineers to evaluate advanced systems, collect flight-test data, and reduce development risk for the F-22 program, according to Boeing.
The sighting highlights ongoing efforts to modernize the F-22 fleet with advanced sensors, electronic warfare systems, and drone-control capabilities. As a cost-effective and flexible testbed, Catfish continues to play an important role in developing next-generation air combat technologies to support both upgraded Raptors and future programs, such as the Air Force’s F-47 fighter.
