F-22 Raptor U.S. Air Force Warfare Center (USAFWC), Nellis AFB, 2006 (1:72)

The USAF developed a requirement for a new air superiority fighter to replace the F-15 Eagle. Two proposals were submitted with the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor being selected as the new Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF). The aircraft is constructed using 39% titanium, 24% composite material, 16% aluminum and 1% thermoplastic by weight. All these components contribute to the F-22 being a light weight, extremely maneuverable, extremely fast aircraft that uses stealth technology. The F-22 is also capable of ground attack, electronic warfare and signals intelligence.

On June 30, 2003 the 12th F-22 Raptor 4016 was delivered to the USAF. It went to the 422 Test and Evaluation Squadron (TES) of the Air Warfare Center (AWFC) at Nellis AFB, Nevada to teach operational pilots and maintenance staff how to fly and repair these aircraft. The F-22 Raptors will be used to conduct operational tests on new hardware and upgrades in a simulated combat environment. The 422 TES also develops and publishes new tactics for these aircraft.

Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor specifications

First flight - September 7, 1997

Planned Production - 750 aircraft initial program objective

Altered plan in 1990 - 648 aircraft

Altered plan in 1994 - 442 aircraft

In 1997 Department of Defense report ' 339 aircraft

In 2006 the Pentagon wanted -183 aircraft

2008 approval for 4 additional aircraft bringing the total to 187

Number built as of August 2009 - 145 (187 planned)

Role - Air superiority fighter

Crew ' (1) pilot

Performance
Engines ' (2) Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 engines producing 35,000 lbst of thrust
Speed - Mach 1.8 (super cruise: Mach 1.5)
G Limit - +9 G
Ceiling - 60,000 ft (18,290 m)
The F-22 and other fighters can reach this altitude, but only the F-22 can perform tactical maneuvers at this level, which is about twice the altitude at which other jets can perform tactical maneuvers.

Dimensions
Length - 62.08 ft (18.90 m)
Height -16.67 ft (5.08 m)
Wingspan - 44.5 ft (13.56 m)
Wing Area - 840 sq ft (78.04 sq m)
Horizontal Tail-span - 29 ft (8.84 m)

Weights
Empty Weight - 31,670 lb (14,365 kg)
Maximum Takeoff Weight - 60,000 lb (27,000 kg)

Armament
Internal
(1) 20mm Cannon
(4) AIM-9 Sidewinders (side weapon bays)
(4) AIM-120A AMRAAM (internal ventral bay)
(6) AIM-120Cs (internal ventral bay)
(6) GBU-32 JDAM PGMs (internal ventral bay)
(8) GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs (250lbs ea)
External
(4) under-wing hard-points with a maximum of 5,000lbs (2,270kg) of mission-specific weaponry or fuel drop-tanks.