The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is a 5th generation Aircraft. The F-22 is the only fighter capable of simultaneously conducting air-to-air and air-to-ground combat missions with near impunity. In addition to being America’s most prominent air-superiority fighter, the F-22 evolved from its original concept to become a lethal, survivable and flexible multimission fighter. By taking advantage of emerging technologies the F-22 has emerged as a superior platform for many diverse missions including intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic attack.
Features of F 22 Raptor
• Advanced stealth – enables 24/7 operations while remaining virtually undetected by enemy forces
• Supercruise speeds greater than Mach 1.5 without afterburners – enhance survivability/lethality
• Extreme fighter agility – allows outmaneuvering through acceleration and razor-sharp turns
• Information fusion – generates 360-degree battlespace awareness for pilot
• Joint force enabler – assures future air dominance for joint and coalition forces
Variants:
Under the Navy Advanced Tactical Fighter (NATF) program, a carrier-borne variant of the F-22 with swing-wings was proposed for the U.S. Navy to replace the F-14 Tomcat, though the program was subsequently cancelled in 1993. A two-seat F-22B trainer variant was planned, but was cut in 1996 to save development costs. Another more recent proposal is the FB-22, which would be used as a deep strike bomber for the USAF, but there has yet to be any word on whether the USAF plans further development of the program. The FB-22 was projected to carry up to 30 Small Diameter Bombs to about twice the range of the F-22A, while maintaining the F-22's stealth and supersonic speed.
Product Life Cycle:
By 1990 Lockheed Martin, teamed with Boeing and General Dynamics, had built and flown the demonstration prototype aircraft, designated YF-22. The first F-22 fighter aircraft was unveiled in April 1997 and was given the name Raptor. In September 2002, the USAF decided to redesignate the aircraft F/A-22 to reflect its multi-mission capability in ground attack as well as air-to-air roles. The aircraft's designation was changed again to F-22A when it achieved initial operating capability (IOC) in December 2005. The decision to proceed to low-rate initial production (LRIP) was authorised in August 2001 and Lockheed Martin delivered 49 aircraft under LRIP contracts. Initial operational test and evaluation began in April 2004 and was successfully completed in February 2005. A further 60 Raptors were ordered in July 2007, bringing the total ordered to 183, with production to 2011. In November 2008, funding for four additional raptors was approved, increasing the total ordered jets to 187, with the buying scheduled in the second half of the fiscal year 2009. The USAF has a total requirement of 243 aircraft but funding was not made available for more than 187. By July 2008, 122 aircraft had been delivered. Holloman AFB is expected to deliver another 40 aircraft by the end of 2010.
Product Life Cycle:
By 1990 Lockheed Martin, teamed with Boeing and General Dynamics, had built and flown the demonstration prototype aircraft, designated YF-22. The first F-22 fighter aircraft was unveiled in April 1997 and was given the name Raptor. In September 2002, the USAF decided to redesignate the aircraft F/A-22 to reflect its multi-mission capability in ground attack as well as air-to-air roles. The aircraft's designation was changed again to F-22A when it achieved initial operating capability (IOC) in December 2005. The decision to proceed to low-rate initial production (LRIP) was authorised in August 2001 and Lockheed Martin delivered 49 aircraft under LRIP contracts. Initial operational test and evaluation began in April 2004 and was successfully completed in February 2005. A further 60 Raptors were ordered in July 2007, bringing the total ordered to 183, with production to 2011. In November 2008, funding for four additional raptors was approved, increasing the total ordered jets to 187, with the buying scheduled in the second half of the fiscal year 2009. The USAF has a total requirement of 243 aircraft but funding was not made available for more than 187. By July 2008, 122 aircraft had been delivered. Holloman AFB is expected to deliver another 40 aircraft by the end of 2010.
Unit Cost US$142.6 million (2009 flyaway cost)
Specifications:
Dimensions:
Length: 62.07ft (18.92m)
Width:44.49ft (13.56m)
Height: 16.47ft (5.02m)
Structure:
Accommodation: 1
Hardpoints: 4 External and 8 Internal Hardpoints
Empty Weight: 31,998lbs (14,514kg)
MTOW: 54,999lbs (24,947kg)
Performance:
Max Speed: 1,599mph (2,574kmh; 1,390kts)
Max Range: 2,000miles (3,218km)
Rate-of-Climb:0ft/min (0m/min)
Service Ceiling: 50,000ft (15,240m; 9.5miles)
Powerplant:
Engine(s): 2 x Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 afterburning turbofans generating 35,000lbs of thrust each.
Armament Suite:
1 x 20mm Cannon 4 x AIM-9 Sidewinders (side weapon bays)
4 x AIM-120A Amraams (internal ventral bay)
6 x AIM-120Cs (internal ventral bay)
6 x GBU-32 JDAM PGMs (internal ventral bay)
8 x GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs (250lbs ea)
4 x underwing hardpoints with a maximum of 5,000lbs (2,270kg) of mission-specific weaponry or fuel droptanks.
To know more about F- 22 Raptors please visit
http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=20
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/f22/
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/f22/f-22-capabilities.html
