The F-22 Raptor is designed by Lockheed Martin and Boeing. It is America's most Advanced Tactical Fighter. It is designed to achieve air superiority and operate within hostile airspace for extended periods of time. Though costly, the F-22 will be able to meet the challenge of our potential adversaries for sometime to come. Its stealth and 'low-observable' characteristics give it the ability to survive in air defense environments which would prohibit the use of other, less capable aircraft. Specifically, the F-22 is designed to replace our aging squadrons of F-15 Eagles and secure the "roof over our heads" well into the future.
Although the F-15 remains a fine aircraft, as witnessed by its unblemished 20 year track record of victory, it is fast reaching the end of its useful service life.In fact,the F-15 may already be outclassed in certain areas by the latest generation of Russian tactical fighters, the Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker in particular.
Development of the F-22 began back in the 1970s when the United States undertook a series of studies known as ATF proposals were submitted for approval: the Lockheed YF-22 Lightning and Northrop YF-23 Blackwidow. Over the next several years, the two designs were flight tested against one another. Finally, in 1991, theAir Force announced its decision to fund development of the Lockheed F-22 in combination with the F119 Pratt&Whitney engine.
Because of the high cost of these aircraft, the Air Force plans to procure the F-22 in small numbers. The first F-22 will roll of the assembly line in 1997. Production will be in single digits until 1999. Thereafter, the number of F-22s being constructed each year increases to a maximum forty-eight. A total of 442 ofthese aircraft will be built between now and the year 2009. Although this total seems small, one must remember a single F-22 has the strength of many F-15s. Only a few of these very capable aircraft will be required to do the job currently being done by greater numbers of F-15s. The F-22 possesses stealth characteristics which render it invisible, or nearly so, to enemy radar. Since an enemy can't hit what it can't see, the F-22's lost rate is expected to be low in comparison to other aircraft. Its tiny radar signature will also grant the F-22 in tremendous tactical advantages in air-to-air combat. Essentially, enemy pilots will never know what hit them until it's too late.
Another important feature of the F-22 is its ability to supercruise (supersonic flight without using afterburner) at high altitudes. Supercruise is more fuel efficient than afterburning. This allows the F-22 to remain on station for greater periodsof time and further enhances its stealthy nature by cutting downon IR emissions. The aerodynamic, low draw fuselage of the F-22 and fuel savings realized by being able to supercruise, gives the aircraft unmatched staying power in combat. Its thrust vectoring engines also allow the F-22 to turn "on a dime." The F-22 features a mix of medium and short ranged missiles. It can engaged enemy fighters with AMRAAMs while remaining undetected. If necessary,the F-22 can rely on its thrust vectoring for superior BFM performance and Sidewinder missiles to dispatch enemy fighters that get too close. The F-22 packs a bigger punch than previous stealth fighters. Its conventional Mk.83 bombs are mated with a satellite navigation system for pin-point accuracy. Known as JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition), this system makes "smart bombs" out of the dumbest hunk of steel.
Lockheed Martin created theF-22 Raptor with new designs and more advance systems. It had its first flighton September 7, 1997 by Chief Test Pilot Paul Metz.
"This first flight was very successful and the Raptor has wings," Said Metz after the first flightof the F-22 Raptor. "Now we have to make sure it has talons."
Jiyang Chen
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F-22 Program Overview
Pratt&WhitneyP119-PW-100
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Flight Test
Stealth
Differences Between the F-22 and the YF-22
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My name is Jiyang Chen, and I'm 18 years old. To learn more about me, click here.If you have any more questions about the F-22 Raptor, please contact me at:Jiyangchen2004@yahoo.com