Boeing/Lockheed Martin F-22 Lightining II/Raptor
Data for F-22A
Photo from "Fighter Planes" YF-22
The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Lightning II will lead the USAF into the 21st century with the world's most advanced air superiority fighter. Incorporating stealth techniques with advanced computers, radar, and weaponry the F-22 promises to be the world's most capable fighter ever. The F-22 will enhance the USAF's monopoly on stealth airframes. The Lightning II will give substantial improvements in maneuverability and range over the F-15C, not to mention the advantages of stealth construction. In order to make the F-22 as stealthy as possible the Raptor will have an internal weapons bay. In a non-stealthy configuration the F-22 would have hard points mounted on the wings enabling it to carry additional weapons. The Raptor is the first operational fighter to have the ability to cruise (without afterburner) at supersonic speeds. This allows the Raptor greater range. A close competitor to the F-22 was the Northrop F-23 Black Widow (which obviously lost). Because of budgetary constraints the US will only acquire 442 of these incredible fighters. This means the venerable F-15 Eagle (already superior to almost everything in the sky) will have to soldier on well into the next century. The F-22 program can be criticized for being too expensive and unnecessary, but it is certainly an impressive machine.
Specifications
(Data for F-22A)
Origin: Lockheed Martin Aerospace/Boeing
Type: Stealth Air Superiority Fighter
Crew: Pilot
Powerplant: Two Pratt & Whitney F119 low bypass afterburning turbofans each delivering 15 909 kg (35 000 lbs) of thrust without afterburner
Dimensions
Span: Approximatley 13.1 m
Height: Approximatley 5.39 m
Length: Approximatley 19.55 m
Maximum Loaded Weight: 26 308 kg
Performance
Maximum Speed: Mach 1.58+
Cruising Speed: Mach 1.58
Climb Rate:
Range (Combat): Approximately 1 200 km (800 nm)
Service Ceiling: Approximately (50 000 feet)
Armament
One M61A1 Vulcan 20 mm multi-barrel cannon & AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, AGM-65, JDAM, JSOW, Possibly a lot more different ordnance as well.
First Flight: Early to mid 1990's
User(s): USAF
Production: 442 planned
Unit Cost: 100 million $US
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