Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor

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The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation American fighter aircraft that utilizes fourth-generation stealth technology.[1] It is an air dominance fighter, but is equipped for ground attack, electronic warfare and signals intelligence roles as well. The F-22 is a critical component of the US Global Strike Task Force.[2]

Faced with a protracted development period, the prototype aircraft was designated YF-22 and, as F/A-22 during the three years before formally entering United States Air Force service in December 2005 as the F-22A. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics is the prime contractor and is responsible for the majority of the airframe, weapon systems and final assembly of the F-22. Along with Lockheed Martin, partner Boeing Integrated Defense Systems provides the wings, aft fuselage, avionics integration, and all of the pilot and maintenance training systems.[3]

Development

The Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) contract was a demonstration and validation program undertaken by the United States Air Force to develop a next-generation air superiority fighter to counter emerging worldwide threats, including development and proliferation of Soviet-era Su-27 'Flanker'-class fighter aircraft.

File:DoD Lockheed ATF DF-ST-87-12789.jpg
The original Lockheed Advanced Tactical Fighter concept (1986)

In 1981, USAF developed a requirement for a new air superiority fighter intended to replace the capability of the F-15 Eagle. It was envisaged that the ATF would incorporate emerging technologies including advanced alloys and composite material, advanced fly-by-wire flight control systems, higher power propulsion systems, and low-observable/stealth technology.

A request for proposal (RFP) was issued in July 1986, and two contractor teams, Lockheed/Boeing/General Dynamics and Northrop/McDonnell Douglas were selected in October 1986 to undertake a 50 month demonstration/validation phase, culminating in the flight test of two prototypes, the YF-22 and the YF-23.

File:DoD Boeing ATF DF-ST-87-12790.jpg
The original Boeing Advanced Tactical Fighter concept (1986)

Following a hard-fought fly-off competition, in August 1991 the YF-22 was declared the winner and Lockheed was awarded the contract to develop and build the Advanced Tactical Fighter.

Production

The first production F-22 was delivered to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, on 14 January 2003. "Dedicated Initial Operational Test and Evaluation" occurred on 27 October 2004. As of 2004, 51 Raptors were in service, with 22 more ordered under fiscal year 2004 funding. The first crash of a production F-22 occurred at Nellis Air Force Base on 20 December 2004, during takeoff. The pilot ejected safely moments before impact. The crash investigation revealed that a brief interruption in power during an engine shutdown prior to flight caused a malfunction in the flight-control system[4]. The technical data for the aircraft have been amended to avoid this problem in the future. In August 2007, the United States Air Force signed a $5 billion, multi-year contract with Lockheed that will extend production to 2011.[5] As of 2007, F-22 Raptors are being procured at 20 airplanes per year.[6] In Sepember 2007, Lockheed Martin reached its "100th F-22 Raptor" milestone.[citation needed]

Procurement

Two F-22s, the one on top being the first EMD F-22, "Raptor 01"

The United States Air Force originally planned to order 750 ATFs, with production beginning in 1994. The 1990 Major Aircraft Review altered the plan to 648 aircraft beginning in 1996. The goal changed again in 1994, when it became 442 planes entering service in 2003 or 2004. A 1997 Department of Defense report put the purchase at 339. In 2003, the Air Force said that the existing congressional cost cap limited the purchase to 277. By 2006, the Pentagon said it will buy 183 aircraft, which would save $15 billion but raise the cost of each airplane. This plan has been de facto approved by Congress in the form of a multi-year procurement plan, which still holds open the possibility for new orders past that point. The total cost of the program by 2006 was $62 billion.[7]

In April 2006, the cost of the F-22A was assessed by the Government Accountability Office to be $361 million per aircraft. This cost reflects the F-22A total program cost, divided by the number of jets the Air Force is programed to buy. So far, the Air Force has invested as much as $28 billion in the Raptor's research, development and testing. That money, referred to as a "sunk cost", is already spent and is separate from money used for future decision-making, including procuring a copy of the jet.

By the time all 183 jets have been purchased, $34 billion will be spent on actually procuring the aircraft. This will result in a cost of about $339 million per aircraft based on total program costs. The incremental cost for one additional F-22 is around $120 million. If the Air Force were to buy 100 more F-22s today, each plane would be less than $117 million and would continue to drop with additional aircraft purchases.[7]

F-22A Raptors over Utah in their first official deployment, October 2005

The F-22 is not the most expensive plane aloft; that distinction likely belongs to the roughly $2.2 billion-per-unit B-2 Spirit; though the incremental cost was under US$1 billion. In fairness, orders for the B-2 went from hundreds to a few dozen when the Cold War ended thus making the unit cost skyrocket. The F-22 uses fewer radar absorbent materials than the B-2 or F-117 Nighthawk, which is expected to translate into lower maintenance costs.

On July 31 2007, Lockheed Martin received a multiyear contract for 60 F-22s worth a total of US$7.3 billion.[5][8] The contract brings the number of F-22s on order to 183 and extends production through 2011.[5]

Proposed foreign sales

Unlike many other tactical fighters, the opportunity for export is currently non-existent because the export sale of the F-22 is barred by federal law. There was a time in the 1970s when the then-new F-16 also had many restrictions. However, regardless of restrictions, very few allies would even be considered for export sale because the F-22 is such a sensitive and expensive system.[citation needed] Most current customers for US fighters are either acquiring earlier designs like the F-15, or F-16 or are waiting to acquire the F-35, which contains much of the F-22's technology but is designed to be cheaper and more flexible.

More recently Japan reportedly showed some interest in buying F-22As in its Replacement-Fighter program for its Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).[9] In such an event, it would most likely involve a "watered-down" export variant while still retaining most of its advanced avionics and stealth characteristics. However, such a proposal would still need approval from the Pentagon, State Department and Congress.

Some Australian defense commentators have proposed that Australia purchase F-22 aircraft instead of the F-35.[10] The Australian Labor Party, Australia's main opposition party supports this proposal on the grounds that the F-22 is a proven, highly capable aircraft while the F-35 is still under development.[11] The current Australian Government, however, has ruled out the purchase of the F-22 as it is unlikely to be released for export and does not meet Australia's requirements for a strike aircraft.[12] This assessment is supported by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, a non-partisan, government-funded think-tank, claiming the F-22 "has insufficient multi-role capability at too high a price" for Australia.[13]

Also in an exclusive interview, Israeli Air Force (IAF) chief procurement officer Brigadier-General Ze'ev Snir said that, "The IAF would be happy to equip itself with 24 F-22s but the problem at this time is the US refusal to sell the plane, and its $200 million price tag."[14]

The US Congress upheld the ban on F-22 Raptor foreign sales during a joint conference on 27 September 2006.[15] After talks in Washington in December 2006, the US DoD reported the F-22 would not be available for foreign sale.[16]

Design

Characteristics

F-22 Raptor displaying its F119-PW-100 engines on full afterburner

The dual afterburning Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofans incorporate thrust vectoring. Thrust vectoring is in the pitch axis only, with a range of ±20 degrees. The maximum thrust is classified, though most sources place it at about 35,000 lbf (156 kN) per engine. Maximum speed is estimated to be Mach 1.72 in supercruise mode and without external weapons; with afterburners, it is "greater than Mach 2.0" (2,120 km/h), according to Lockheed Martin. The Raptor can easily exceed its design speed limits, particularly at low altitudes; max-speed alerts help prevent the pilot from exceeding the limits. General John P. Jumper, former U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, flew the Raptor faster than Mach 1.7 without afterburners on 13 January 2005.[17] The absence of variable intake ramps may make speeds greater than Mach 2.0 unreachable, but there is no evidence to prove this. Such ramps would be used to prevent engine surge, but the intake itself may be designed to prevent this. Former Lockheed Raptor chief test pilot Paul Metz stated that the Raptor has a fixed inlet. Metz has also stated that the F-22 has a top speed greater than 1600 mph (Mach 2.42) and its climb rate is faster than the F-15 Eagle due to advances in engine technology, despite the F-15's thrust-to-weight ratio of about 1.2:1, with the F-22 having a ratio closer to 1:1.[18]

Aircraft wing planform shapes: a KC-10 Extender (top) refuels an F-22 Raptor

The true top-speed of the F-22 is largely unknown to the general public, as engine power is only one factor. The ability of the airframe to withstand the stress and heat from friction is a key factor, especially in an aircraft using as many polymers as the F-22. However, while some aircraft are faster on paper, the internal carriage of its standard combat load allows the aircraft to reach comparatively higher performance with a heavy load over other modern aircraft due to its lack of drag from external stores. It is one of only a handful of aircraft that can sustain supersonic flight without the use of afterburner augmented thrust, i.e. supercruise. The fuel usage from using afterburners greatly reduces flight time.

The F-22 is highly maneuverable, at both supersonic and subsonic speeds. The F-22's thrust vectoring nozzles allow the aircraft to turn tightly, and perform extremely high alpha (angle of attack) maneuvers such as the Herbst maneuver (or J-turn), Pugachev's Cobra,[18] and the Kulbit, though the J-Turn is more useful in combat.[18] The F-22 is also capable of maintaining a constant angle of attack of over 60°, yet still having some control of roll.[18][19] Cruise altitude is a huge factor in performance. During June 2006 exercises in Alaska, F-22 pilots routinely attributed their altitude advantage as major factor in an unblemished kill ratio.[20]

Avionics

The F-22's avionics include BAE Systems E&IS (formerly Sanders Associates) radar warning receiver (RWR) AN/ALR-94,[21] and the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-77 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. The AN/APG-77 is possibly the most capable radar in active service, with both long-range target acquisition and low probability of interception of its own signals by enemy aircraft.

The AN/ALR-94 is a passive receiver system capable of detecting the radar signals in the environment. Composed of more than 30 antennae smoothly blended into the wings and fuselage, it is described by the former head of the F-22 program at Lockheed Martin Tom Burbage as "the most technically complex piece of equipment on the aircraft." With greater range (250 nmi+) than the radar, it allows F-22 to limit its own radar emission from compromising its stealth. As the target approaches, AN/ALR-94 can cue the AN/APG-77 radar to keep track of its motion with a narrow beam, which can be as focused as 2° by 2° in azimuth and elevation.[22]

The AN/APG-77 AESA radar, designed for air-superiority and strike operations, features a low-observable, active-aperture, electronically-scanned array that can track multiple targets in all kinds of weather. The AN/APG-77 changes frequencies more than 1,000 times per second to reduce the chance of being intercepted. The radar can also focus its emissions to overload enemy sensors, giving the plane an electronic-attack capability.[23]

The radar’s information is processed by the two Raytheon Common Integrated Processor (CIP)s. Each CIP operates at 10.5 billion instructions per second and has 300 megabytes of memory. Information can be gathered from the radar and other onboard and offboard systems, filtered by the CIP, and offered in easy-to-digest ways on several cockpit displays, enabling the pilot to remain on top of complicated situations. The Raptor’s software is composed of over 1.7 million lines of code, most of which concerns processing data from the radar.[24] The radar has an estimated range of 125-150 miles, though planned upgrades will allow a range of 250 miles or more in narrow beams.[20]

The F-22 has several unique functions for an aircraft of its size and role. For instance, it has threat detection and identification capability along the lines of that available on the RC-135 Rivet Joint.[20] While the F-22's equipment isn't as powerful or sophisticated, because of its stealth, it is typically hundreds of miles closer to the battlefield, which often compensates for the reduced capability.[20]

The F-22 is capable of functioning as a "mini-AWACS." Though reduced in capability compared to dedicated airframes such as the E-3 Sentry, as with its threat identification capability, the F-22's forward presence is often of benefit.[18] The system allows the F-22 to designate targets for cooperating F-15s and F-16s, and even determine if two friendly aircraft are targeting the same enemy aircraft, thus enabling one of them to choose a different target.[20][18] It is often able to identify targets hundreds of times faster than accompanying dedicated AWACS.[20]

The F-22's low probability of intercept radar is being given a high-bandwidth data transmission capability, to allow it to be used in a "broadband" role to permit high-speed relaying of data between friendly transmitters and receivers in the area.[20] The F-22 can already pass data to other F-22s, resulting in considerably reduced radio "chatter."[20]

The IEEE-1394B data bus, developed for the F-22, was derived from the commercial IEEE-1394 bus system,[25] often used on personal computers. The bus was subsequently deployed on the derivative F-35 Lightning II fighter.[25]

Armament

An F-22 releases a JDAM from its internal bay while flying at supersonic speed

The Raptor is designed to carry air-to-air missiles in internal bays to avoid disrupting its stealth capability. Launching missiles requires opening the weapons bay doors for less than a second, as the missiles are pushed clear of the airframe by hydraulic arms. The plane can also carry bombs such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and the new Small-Diameter Bomb (SDB). The Raptor carries an M61A2 Vulcan 20 mm rotary cannon, also with a trap door, in the right wing root. The M61A2 is a last ditch weapon, and carries only 480 rounds, enough ammunition for approximately five seconds of sustained fire. Despite this, the F-22 has been able to use its gun in dogfighting without being detected, which can be necessary when missiles are depleted.[18]

As other air forces upgrade capabilities in the areas of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, one key aspect of the Raptor must be kept in mind. Its very high sustained cruise speeds, and operational altitude (something that is often ignored), add tremendously to the effective range of both air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. Indeed, these factors could provide a strong rationale as to why the USAF has not pursued long-range, high-energy air-to-air missiles such as the MBDA Meteor. However the USAF plans to procure the AIM-120D AMRAAM, which will have a significant increase in range compared to the AIM-120C. The launch platform, in this case, provides the additional specific impulse to the missile. This speed and altitude characteristic also helps improve the range of air-to-ground ordnance. While specific figures remain classified, it is expected that JDAMs employed by F-22s will have twice or more the effective range of munitions dropped by legacy platforms.[26] In testing, a Raptor dropped a 1,000 lb (450 kg) JDAM from 50,000 feet (15,000 m), while cruising at Mach 1.5, striking a moving target 24 miles away.[27] The SDB, as employed from the F-22, should see even greater increases in effective range, due to the improved lift to drag ratio of these weapons.

While in its air-superiority configuration, the F-22 carries its weapons internally, though it is not limited to this option. The wings are capable of supporting four detachable hardpoints. Each hardpoint is theoretically capable of handling 5,000 lb of ordnance. However, usage of external stores greatly compromises the F-22 stealth, and has a detrimental effect on maneuverability, speed, and range. As many as two of these hardpoints are "plumbed", allowing the usage of external fuel tanks. The hardpoints are detachable in flight allowing the fighter to regain its stealth once these external stores are exhausted. Currently, there is research being conducted to develop a stealth ordnance pod and hardpoints for it. Such a pod would comprise a stealth shape and carry its weapons internally, then would split open when launching a missile or dropping a bomb. Both the pod and hardpoints could be detached when no longer needed. This system would allow the F-22 to carry its maximum ordnance load while remaining stealthy, albeit at a loss of maneuverability. However, there is concern over this program as external carriage of fuel tanks has shown more stress placed on the wings than originally anticipated.[citation needed]

Stealth

Although several recent Western fighter aircraft are less detectable on radar than previous designs using techniques such as radar absorbent material coated S shaped intake ducts that shield the compressor fan from reflecting radar waves, the F-22A design placed a much higher degree of importance on low observance throughout the entire spectrum of sensors including radar signature, visual, infrared, acoustic, and radio frequency.

The stealth of the F-22 is due to a combination of factors, including overall shape of the aircraft, the use of radar absorbent material (RAM), and attention to detail such as hinges and pilot helmets that could provide a radar return.[28] However reduced radar cross section is only one of five facets that designers addressed to create a stealth design in the F-22. The F-22 has also been designed to disguise its infra-red emissions to make it harder to detect by infrared homing ("heat seeking") surface-to-air or air-to-air missiles. Designers also addressed making the aircraft less visible to the naked eye, controlling radio transmissions, and noise abatement.[28]

The F-22 apparently relies less on maintenance-intensive radar absorbent material and coatings than previous stealth designs like the F-117. These materials caused deployment problems due to their susceptibility to adverse weather conditions.[29] Unlike the B-2, which requires climate-controlled hangars, the F-22 can undergo repairs on the flight line or in a normal hangar.[29] Furthermore, the F-22 has a warning system (called "Signature Assessment System" or "SAS") which presents warning indicators when routine wear-and-tear have degraded the aircraft's radar signature to the point of requiring more substantial repairs.[29] The exact radar cross section of the F-22 remains classified.[citation needed]

Comparisons

An F-22A Raptor observes as an F-15 Eagle banks left. The F-22A is slated to replace the F-15C/D.

The F-22 is claimed by several sources to be the world’s most effective air-superiority fighter. The US Air Force claims that the F-22 cannot be matched by any known or projected fighter aircraft.[30] Air Marshal Angus Houston, chief of the Australian Defence Force, and former head of the Royal Australian Air Force, said in 2004 that the "F-22 will be the most outstanding fighter plane ever built."[31] US government secrecy makes comparisons with other aircraft difficult. Among its advantages are its sustained high speed and altitude capabilities, thrust vectoring, sensors, stealth features, advanced avionics, and ability to receive data from other U.S. systems.

In March 2005, United States Air Force Chief of Staff General John P. Jumper, then the only person to have flown both the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Raptor, gave a verbal comparison on the two aircraft. He said that "the Eurofighter is both agile and sophisticated, but is still difficult to compare to the F-22 Raptor." "They are different kinds of airplanes to start with," the general said. "It's like asking us to compare a NASCAR car with a Formula 1 car. They are both exciting in different ways, but they are designed for different levels of performance." The F/A-22 performs in much the same way as the Eurofighter, General Jumper said. But it has additional capabilities that allow it to perform the Air Force's unique missions. "The F/A-22 Raptor has stealth and supercruise," he said. "It has the ability to penetrate virtually undetected because of (those) capabilities. It is designed to be a penetrating airplane. It can maneuver with the best of them if it has to, but what you want to be able to do is get into contested airspace no matter where it is."[32]

In 2005, when on deployment to the USA on OEU trials work two RAF Eurofighter Typhoons flew against the USAF's F-22s in an exercise at NAS China Lake, California. Typhoon got radar lock against the F-22s at long range and then proceeded to dominate the WVR fight. The USAF cried off and then proceeded to cancel the next day's exercise.. This mock engagement happened during Exercise High Rider 10 during 2005 [13]

In early 2006, after an exercise involving just eight F-22s in Nevada in Nov. 2005, Lieutenant Colonel Jim Hecker, commander of the 27th Fighter Squadron (FS) at Langley AFB, Virginia, commented "We killed 33 F-15Cs and didn't suffer a single loss. They didn't see us at all."[33]

In June 2006 during Exercise Northern Edge (Alaska's largest joint military training exercise), the F-22A achieved a 144-to-zero kill-to-loss ratio against F-15s, F-16s and F/A-18s simulating MiG-29 'Fulcrums', Su-30 'Flankers', and other current front line Russian aircraft, which outnumbered the F-22A 5 to 1 at times.[20][34] The small F-22 force of 12 aircraft generated 49% of the total kills for the exercise, and operated with an unprecedented reliability rate of 97%.[29]

The F-22 is extremely difficult to defeat during dogfighting. At Red Flag 2007, RAAF Squadron Leader Stephen Chappell, F-15 exchange pilot in the 65th Aggressor Squadron, commented that "The [F-22] denies your ability to put a weapons system on it, even when I can see it through the canopy. It's the most frustrated I've ever been."[35] An F-16C pilot assigned to the 64th Aggressor Squadron gained the first-ever F-22 simulated kill in Red Flag, February 2007. [94th commander] Lt. Col. Dirk Smith told AFM.[36] It was later revealed that the F-22 pilot had not realized that the aggressor was still 'alive' and did not attack the aggressor aircraft.[citation needed]

Operational history

The 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base was the first squadron to receive the F-22A

Intended to be the leading American advanced tactical fighter in the early part of the 21st century, the Raptor is the world's most expensive fighter to date with an incremental cost of about US$138 million per unit.[6] The number of airplanes to be built has dropped to 183,[5] down from the initial requirement of 750. Part of the reason for the decrease in the requirement is that the F-35 Lightning II uses much of the technology used on the F-22, but at a much more affordable price. To a large extent the cost of these technologies is only lower for the F-35 because they have already been developed for the F-22.

YF-22 "Lightning II"

The YF-22 was a developmental aircraft that led to the F-22; however, there are significant differences between the YF-22 and the F-22. Relocation of cockpit, structural changes, and many other smaller changes exist between the two types.[37] The two are sometimes confused in pictures, often at angles where it is difficult to see certain features. For example, there are some F-22 with pitot booms which some think are only found on the YF-22 (such as pictured at end of article). The YF-22 was originally given the unofficial name "Lightning II" by Lockheed, which persisted until the mid-1990s when the USAF officially named the aircraft "Raptor". For a short while, the plane was also dubbed "SuperStar" and "Rapier".[38] The F-35 later received the Lightning II name on 7 July 2006.[39]

The prototype YF-22 won a fly-off competition against the Northrop/McDonnell-Douglas YF-23 for the Advanced Tactical Fighter contract. In April 1992, during flight testing after contract award, the first YF-22 prototype crashed while landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The test pilot, Tom Morgenfeld, was not injured and the cause of the crash was found to be a flight control software error that allowed and created a pilot-induced oscillation.[40]

F-22 Raptor to F/A-22 and back again

The production model was formally named F-22 "Raptor" when the first production-representative plane was unveiled on 9 April 1997 at Lockheed-Georgia Co., Marietta, Georgia. First flight occurred on 7 September 1997.

In September 2002, Air Force leaders changed the Raptor’s designation to F/A-22. The new designation, which mimicked that of the Navy’s F/A-18 Hornet, was intended to highlight plans to give the Raptor a ground-attack capability amid intense debate over the relevance of the expensive air-superiority jet. This was later changed back to simply F-22 on 12 December 2005. On 15 December 2005, the F-22A entered service.[41]

Testing

An F-22 refuels from a KC-135; the attachment on the back top is for a spin recovery chute

F-22 testing has been curtailed to save program costs, but risks hiding flaws until a point at which fixing flaws becomes unaffordable.[42] The U.S. General Accounting Office cautioned, "Moreover, engine and stealthiness problems already disclosed by the DoD, and the potential for avionics and software problems, underscore the need to demonstrate the weapon system’s performance through flight testing before significant commitments are made to production."[42]

Raptor 4001 was retired and sent to Wright-Patterson AFB to be fired at for testing the fighter's survivability. Usable parts of 4001 would be used to make a new F-22. Another EMD F-22 was also retired and likely to be sent to be rebuilt. A testing aircraft was converted to a maintenance trainer at Tyndall AFB.[43]

On 3 May 2006, a report was released detailing a problem with a forward titanium boom on the aircraft that was not properly heat treated. The flaw can shorten the aircraft's life. Officials are still investigating the problem. The problem was caused by the boom portion not being subjected to high temperatures in the factory for long enough. This caused the boom to be less ductile than specified, shortening the lives of the first 80 or so F-22s. Work is underway to fix these F-22s and restore them to full life expectancy.[43]

The F-22A fleet underwent modifications at Hill AFB,[44] and at Edwards AFB near Palmdale, California.[citation needed]

Recent developments

In 2006, the Raptor's development team, composed of Lockheed Martin and over 1,000 other companies, plus the United States Air Force, won the Collier Trophy, American aviation's most prestigious award.[45] The U.S Air Force will acquire 183 F-22s which will be divided among seven squadrons.[7]

While attempting its first overseas deployment to the Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, on 11 February 2007, a group of six Raptors flying from Hickam AFB experienced multiple computer crashes coincident with their crossing of the 180th meridian of longitude (the International Date Line). The computer failures included at least navigation (completely lost) and communication. The planes were able to return to Hawaii by following their tankers in good weather. The error was fixed within 48 hours and the F-22s continued their journey to Kadena.[46][47]

On 30 April 2007, the National Museum of the Air Force announced that EMD Raptor 91-4003 will be put on display in the space being occupied by the YF-22 sometime in July 2007 and prior to the USAF's 60th Anniversary celebration in October 2007.[citation needed] That particular Raptor is being refurbished in the restoration area of the Museum.[citation needed] There are plans to move the YF-22 to another museum and that will be decided in due time by the National Museum of the Air Force.[citation needed]

In 2007, tests carried out by Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and L-3 Communications enabled the AESA system of a Raptor to act like a WiFi access point, able to transmit data at 548 Megabit/sec and receive at Gigabit speed, far faster than the current Link 16 system used by US and allied aircraft, which transfers data at just over 1 Megabit/sec.[48]

Variants

Under the Navalized 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 canceled in 1993. A two seat trainer F-22B variant was planned, but was cut in 1996 to save development costs.[49]

Another more recent proposal is the FB-22, which would be used as a deep strike bomber for the USAF. There has yet to be any word on whether the USAF plans further development of the program. Also, the X-44 MANTA, short for Multi-Axis, No-Tail Aircraft, is an experimental aircraft which itself is an F-22 with enhanced thrust vectoring controls and no aerodynamic backup (i.e. the aircraft is controlled solely by thrust vectoring, without rudders, ailerons, or elevators). It is scheduled to be tested some time in 2007.

Operators

Future bases and units will include:

Specifications (F-22 Raptor)

Orthographically projected diagram of the YF-22 demonstrator.
Orthographically projected diagram of the YF-22 demonstrator.
File:FA-22 Raptor.jpg
F-22 with pitot boom

Data from USAF,[30] F-22 Raptor Team web site,[53] Aviation Week,[20] and Journal of Electronic Defense[22]

General characteristics

Performance

File:AFG-070605-002.jpg
USAF poster overview of key features and armament

Armament

Note: It is estimated that internal bays can carry about 2,000 lb (910 kg) worth of bombs, and/or missiles. Four external hardpoints can be fitted to carry weapons or fuel tanks, each with a capacity of about 5,000 lb (2268 kg), while compromising, to a certain extent, the aircraft's stealth. Some armament is still largely classified. Aircraft in this size class since the F-105 have historically met a requirement of carrying maximum external payloads in the range of 14,000-15,000 lb with combat loads typically closer to 4,000-8,000 lb

Avionics

Popular culture

The F-22 has been featured in numerous books, such as Tom Clancy's Debt of Honor (1994) [54]and Fighter Wing (1995)[55] as well as Clive Cussler's Dark Watch (2005).[56] The F-22 made its first prominent Hollywood debut in the 2007 film Transformers[57] as the form taken by the Decepticon character Starscream,[58] and flown by the U.S. Air Force.

References

  1. ^ Carlson, Maj. Gen. Bruce. "Subject: Stealth Fighters." U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) News Transcript. Access date: 16 July 2007.
  2. ^ "USAF F-22 Raptor fact sheet"
  3. ^ F-22 team, responsibilities
  4. ^ Pike, J. "F-22 Raptor Flight Test." GlobalSecurity.org.
  5. ^ a b c d "Lockheed Martin Awarded Additional $5 Billion in Multiyear Contract to Build 60 F-22 Raptors", Lockheed Martin press release, July 31, 2007.
  6. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference usaf_fy2008_budget was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference afpn_20060623_ad was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ U.S. Department of Defense contracts, July 31, 2007.
  9. ^ Bennet, J.T. "Air Force Plans to Sell F-22As to Allies." InsideDefense.com, 18 February 2006.
  10. ^ Carmen, G. ""Rapped in the Raptor: why Australia must have the best." The Age, 2 October 2006. [1].
  11. ^ Beazley, K.. "Media Statement." Australian Labor Party, 26 June 2006.
  12. ^ Landers, K. "Australia to buy 100 Lockheed jet fighters." The World Today, 27 June 2006.
  13. ^ Brogo, A. "A Big Deal: Australia's future air combat capability." Australian Strategic Policy Institute (Canberra) , 25 February 2004. p. 62.
  14. ^ "Israel Plans to Buy Over 100 F-35s"
  15. ^ Bruno, M. "Appropriators Approve F-22A Multiyear, But Not Foreign Sales." Aerospace Daily & Defense Report. 27 September 2006.
  16. ^ Stewart, C. "US rules out deal on F-22 Raptor fighter jets." News.com.au. Access date: 14 February 2007.
  17. ^ Powell, 2nd Lt. William "General Jumper qualifies in F/A-22 Raptor" Air Force Link, 13 January 2005.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g Fulghum, D.A. and Fabey, M.J. "Turn and Burn." Aviation Week & Space Technology. 8 January 2007.[2].
  19. ^ Peron, L. R. "F-22 Initial High Angle-of-Attack Flight Results." Air Force Flight Test Center. (Abstract.)[3].
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Fulghum, D.A and Fabey, M.J. "F-22: Unseen and Lethal." Aviation Week & Space Technology. 8 January 2007. [4]. Note: Titled "Raptor Scores in Alaskan Exercise" in online edition.
  21. ^ Klass, Philip J. "Sanders Will Give BAE Systems Dominant Role in Airborne EW." Aviation Week & Space TechnologyVolume 153, issue 5, 31 July 2000. p. 74.
  22. ^ a b c Sweetman, Bill. "Fighter EW: The next generation." Journal of Electronic Defense, Volume 23, issue 7, July 2000. p. 41-47.
  23. ^ JSF-Raptor Radar Can Fry Enemy Sensors
  24. ^ Pike, J. "F-22 Avionics." GlobalSecurity.org.[5].
  25. ^ a b Philips, E.H. "The Electric Jet." Aviation Week & Space Technology. 5 February 2007.
  26. ^ "USAF Almanac." Air Force Magazine. May 2006.
  27. ^ "U.S. orders two dozen raptors for 2010." United Press International. 22 November 2006.
  28. ^ a b "F-22 Stealth." Globalsecurity.org. [6] |accessdate=2007-02-21
  29. ^ a b c d Fulghum, D.A. "Away Game." Aviation Week & Space Technology. 8 January 2007.
  30. ^ a b c "USAF Fact sheets: F-22A Raptor." United States Air Force. August 2007, Access date: 21 September 2007.
  31. ^ Houston, A. "Strategic Insight 9 - Is the JSF good enough?" Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Canberra. 18 August 2004.[7].
  32. ^ Lopez, C. T. "CSAF: Raptor, Eurofighter complementary." Air Force Print News. 22 March 2005.
  33. ^ Jane's Defence Weekly. 18 January 2006.
  34. ^ Van Nierop, D."PACAF unveils first F-22." United States Air Force press release. 3 August 2006.[8].
  35. ^ Raptor debuts at Red Flag, dominates skies
  36. ^ First Ever F-22 Raptor "Shot Down"
  37. ^ "YF-22/F-22A comparison diagram". GlobalSecurity.org.
  38. ^ Military Aircraft Names
  39. ^ "Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter Officially Named 'Lightning II.'" Official Joint Strike Fighter program office press release. 7 July 2006.
  40. ^ F-22 Timeline
  41. ^ "U.S. To Declare F-22 Fighter Operational." Agence France-Presse. 15 December 2005.[9].
  42. ^ a b "Tactical Aircraft: Concurrency in Development and Production of F-22 Aircraft Should Be Reduced." General Accounting Office. April, 1995.
  43. ^ a b "Tyndall AFB receives F-22 maintenance trainer." 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs. 29 April 2006. Cite error: The named reference "f22team_20060429" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  44. ^ "Hill begins modifications on F-22A Raptor."
  45. ^ "F-22 Raptor Wins 2006 Collier Trophy." National Aeronautic Association.
  46. ^ "Lockheed's F-22 Raptor Gets Zapped by International Date Line." Daily Tech, 26 February 2007. [10].
  47. ^ Raptors arrive at Kadena
  48. ^ "F-22 superjets could act as flying Wi-Fi hotspots." The Register. [11]
  49. ^ Pace, Steve. F-22 Raptor. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1999. ISBN 0-07-134271-0.
  50. ^ a b "Langley receives last Raptor, completes fleet." [12]. Access date: 20 January 2007.
  51. ^ "Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor Air Dominance Fighters Begin Operational Service In Alaska", Lockheed Martin, August 8, 2007
  52. ^ "Elmendorf welcomes F-22 Raptor ", USAF Press, August 8, 2007
  53. ^ a b c "Flight Test Data." Access date: 18 April 2006.
  54. ^ Clancy, Tom. Debt of Honor. Thorndike, Maine: Thorndike Press, 1994. ISBN 0-7862-0335-8. A lengthy mission by F-22s dominates the last part of the book.
  55. ^ Clancy, Tom. Fighter Wing: A Guided Tour of an Air Force Combat Wing. New York: Berkley Books, 1995. ISBN 0-425-14957-9. The F-22 features as a major new combat aircraft in the non-fiction book.
  56. ^ Cussler, Clive. Dark Watch. New York: Berkley Books, 2005. ISBN 0-425-20559-2. In the book, an F-22 embarks on a secret mission to take out a Syrian foe.
  57. ^ Donna Miles for American Forces Press Service (21 June 2007). "Movie makers team with military to create realism". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  58. ^ Transformers Movie Buzz (18 June 2007). "Transformers Bio: Starscream (Decepticon) (blog)". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  • Crosby, Francis. Fighter Aircraft. London: Lorenz Books, 2002. ISBN 0-7548-0990-0.
  • Miller, Jay. Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works: The Official History... (updated edition). Leicester, UK: Midland Publishing Ltd., 1995. ISBN 1-85780-037-0.
  • Pace, Steve. X-Fighters: USAF Experimental and Prototype Fighters, XP-59 to YF-23. Oscela, Wisconsin: Motorbooks International, 1991. ISBN 0-87938-540-5.
  • Williams, Mel, ed. Superfighters: The Next Generation of Combat Aircraft. London: AIRtime Publishing Inc., 2002. ISBN 1-880588-53-6.

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