F-22 Raptor

The F-22 achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in December 2005 and is the fifth generation fighter of the U.S. Air Force. The F-22 Raptor is the replacement for the F-15 Eagle air-superiority fighter and is now ready for production. This aircraft combines stealth design with the supersonic, highly manoeuvrable, dual-engine, long-range requirements of an air-to-air fighter. The F-22’s integrated avionics gives it first-look, first-shot, first-kill capability that will guarantee U.S. air dominance.

This new fighter possesses unique characteristics. Four pillars guaranty the Raptor’s success: ­ supercruise, super-agility, stealth and integrated-avionics. It flies at supersonic speed for sustained periods of time without needing to engage afterburners. This means a huge advantage in terms of range of flight. Its conception facilitates maintenance. The Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 engine requires­ only six commercially available tools for its routine maintenance. To control this mechanical beast, the F-22 features a Common Integrated Processor (CIP), which is the heart of its integrated avionics suite. These "Super Computers" can process 10.3 billion bytes per second!

The Raptor is the first and only all-weather stealth fighter. Its radar signature is approximately the size of a bumblebee, thereby avoiding detection by the most sophisticated enemy air defense systems. The aircraft has a planform alignment of the wing and tail edges, radar-absorbing saw-toothed surfaces, an engine face that is concealed by a serpentine inlet duct, "stealthy" coating cockpit design to minimize the usually substantial radar return of pilot’s helmet. Through internal weapons placement, the F-22 also eliminates multiple surface features that could be detected by enemy radar.

The F-22 has demonstrated supercruise at speeds greater than 1.5 Mach. It has demonstrated superior manoeuvrability throughout the flying envelope from sea-level to 50,000 feet. Its service ceiling is 65,000 feet. Its speed capacities enables a smaller number of aircraft to control a far greater area, and enter and exit hostile areas quickly, reducing the time a pilot spends over enemy territory and reducing the risk of losing lives.