F-22A U.S. Air Force Raptor

The F-22 Raptor is a 5th generation fighter plane built by Lockheed Martin/Boeing. It uses stealth technology as well as all the best avionics and technology available to make it the superior fighter plane in the world.

In 1981, the U.S. Air Force set down a requirement to develop a replacement aircraft for the F-15 Eagle (the premier fighter jet for the past several decades). A request for proposal (RFP) was in July of 1986. Lockheed/Boeing/General Dynamics and Northrop/McDonnell Douglas were the two contract teams selected for a 50 month design phase. This culminated in the development of two aircraft: the YF-22 and YF-23

On April 23rd, 1991 the U.S. Air Force designated the YF-22 as the winner of the RFP. The Air Force was set to order 600+ aircraft to populate its wings.

The U.S. Air Force initially planned to purchase 750 aircraft beginning with production starting in 1994. As time went on and budget cuts commenced, the F-22 saw its numbers dwindle down to a paltry yet powerful 183 aircraft at a cost of around $143 million per aircraft.

The F-22 Raptor may be an expensive aircraft, but doesn't hold the distinction of most expensive...that distincation is probably held by the B-22 Spirit which rolls in at a cost of $1.1 billion per aircraft.

The F-22 Raptor is expected to lead the U.S. Air Force into the 21st Century Air and Space arena. The Pentagon is currently weighing the option to continue the purchasing of additional F-22s past the 183 aircraft.

Length: 62.08 sq ft
Height: 16.67 ft
Wing Span: 44.5 ft
Wing Area: 840 sq ft

Engine Thrust Class: 35,000 lbs
Level Speed: 921 MPH
Engines: 2 Pratt and Whitney F-119s
Max Takeoff Weight: 60,000 lbs
Weight Empty: 31,670 lbs

Ceiling: 50,000ft
G Limit: 9+
Crew: 1

The F-22 Raptor has a unique feature in that it is the only fighter currently in use in the U.S. Air Force with an internal weapons bay. Prior to the F-22, other fighters had only external hardpoints that allowed for the attachment of missles, bombs, fuel tanks, travel pods etc.

One of the design characteristics that the F-22 Raptor employs is the ability to store weapons internally until the time of their release. This design characteristic allows for reduced drag resistance on the aircraft allowing its engines to operate more efficiently. This translates to increased speed and the ability to "supercruise". This just one of the many new advancements in 21st Century Fighters.

In the picture to the right, notice the side bay doors opened along the fuselage...you can see a Sidewinder missle exposed in the top bay.

The F-22A Raptor is one of the deadliest fighter aircraft in the skys defending America today. The Raptor, when configured for ground attack, can carry 2 1000 lb GBU-32s Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JADMs) as well as 2 Aim 120s and 2 Aim 9s.

In the air to air role (the F-22A Raptor's speciality) the Raptor will care 6 AIM 120 AMRAAMs and 2 AIM 9 Sidewinders making it incredibly leathal when hunting for prey.