F/A-22 Raptor General Information Weapons Systems

F/A-22 Raptor
F/A-22 Raptors over California
Description
Role	Single-seat air superiority fighter
Crew	1
Dimensions
Wingspan	44 ft. 6 in.	13.56 m
Length	62 ft. 1 in.	18.90 m
Height	16 ft. 5 in.	5.08 m
Wing area	840 sq. ft.	78.04 sq. m
Weights
Empty	31,670 lb	14,365 kg
Loaded
Max take-off	60,000 lb	27,216 kg
Powerplant
Engines	2 Pratt and Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofans
Thrust	35,000 lb.	155.69 kN
Performance
Maximum speed	approx. Mach 2.0	approx. 2120 km/h
Combat range
Ferry range
Service ceiling	>50,000 ft.	>15,240 m
Rate of climb
Armament
Guns	One M61A2 20mm Gatling gun
Long-Range Missiles	Six AIM-120C AMRAAM
Short-Range Missiles	Two AIM-9X Sidewinders

The F/A-22 Raptor is a highly stealthy combat jet aircraft built by Lockheed Martin and Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, intended to be the leading United States advanced tactical fighter (ATF) in the early part of the 21st century. The prototype Raptor, designated YF-22, beat the YF-23 for the contract. The first test flight of the Raptor occurred on September 7September 7 is the 250th day of the year (251st in leap years). There are 115 days remaining. Events 1191 Third Crusade: Battle of Arsuf Richard I of England defeats Saladin at Arsuf. 1539 Guru Angad Dev ji became the second Guru of the Sikhs 1776 World's, 19971997 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year of the Reef''. Events January January 3 NBC's Today Show Bryant Gumbel signs off for the last time January 8 Mister Rogers receives a star on t. The first production F/A-22 was delivered to the Nellis Air Force BaseNellis Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base, located on the northeast side of Las Vegas, Nevada. It is also treated as a census-designated place by the United States Census for statistical purposes, and so specific demographic information abou, NevadaNevada is a state located in the western United States. The population, as of 2000, is 1,998,257. Nevada is the fastest growing state in the country. Between 2000 and 2003, Nevada's population increased 12. 2%, while the USA's population increased 3., on January 14January 14 is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 351 days remaining (352 in leap years). Celebrated as New Year's Day by those still following the Julian calendar. Events 1301 Andrew III dies, ending the Arpad dynasty in Hungary, 20032003 is a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar), and also: The International Year of Freshwater The European Disability Year Summary Perhaps the defining global event of the year 2003 was the Invasion of Iraq launched by the U. Fifty-one F/A-22s are in service, with 22 more paid for under Fiscal Year 2004. The aircraft was first introduced into operations on October 27October 27 is the 300th day of the year (301st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 65 days remaining. Events 625 Honorius I becomes Pope. 1644 Second Battle of Newbury in the English Civil War. 1795 The United States and Spain sign the Treaty o, 2004.

1 General information

1.1 Weapons systems

The Raptor is designed to carry its air-to-air missiles in internal bays to avoid disrupting its stealthiness. The missiles are launched by hydraulic arms that hurl them away from the jet so quickly that the weapons-bay doors pop open for less than one second. It can also carry bombs such as the large JDAM and the new SDB (Small Diameter Bomb) GPS-guided bombs to attack enemy air defense radars and systems.

1.2 Procurement

The United States Air Force originally planned an order of 750 ATFs, with production from 1994. Following the 1990 Major Aircraft Review, production was to begin in 1996 for a total of 648 aircraft. By 1994 the figure stood at 442 planes for service entry in 2003/2004. A DoD report in 1997 stated that 339 was the final number. Currently there is significant debate over the exact number of units affordable, though in 2003 the USAF said that it could buy 277 given a $43 billion cost limit.

1.3 Variants

Based on the F/A-22, the swing-wing NATF was proposed for the U.S. Navy to replace the F-14 Tomcat, though the program was subsequently cancelled in 1993.

2 Specifications

Role: single-seat air superiority fighter
Engines
- Two Pratt and Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofans each rated at 155.69 kN (35,000 lb_f) static thrust class with afterburning, capable of supercruise and thrust vectoring. The exact maximum thrust is classified, though most sources place it at about 39,000lb. Thrust vectoring is in the pitch axis only, with a range of +/- 20 degrees.
Performance
- Speed
  - Maximum level speed "clean" at optimum altitude - Mach 1.58 in supercruise mode; maximum speed with afterburners is mentioned at "approx M2.0" (2,120 km/h). Due to the absence of variable intake ramps, M2.0+ speed may be unreachable. In addition it has been speculated that the computerized flight control system (FLCS) limits the top speed to prevent the skin of the aircraft from deforming at such high temperatures.
- Service Ceiling
  - over 50,000 ft (15,240 m)
Avionics
- Radar: Raytheon and Northrop Grumman AN/APG-77 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA)
Weights
- Empty: 31,670 lb (14,365 kg); Gross: 60,000 lb (27,216 kg)
Armament (internal)
- Six AIM-120C AMRAAM (Advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles) or
- Two AIM-120C AMRAAMs, two AIM-9 Sidewinders and two 1,000-lb. (450 kg) Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM)
- One M61A2 20mm Gatling gun with 480 rounds
Armament (external)
- Four external hardpoints can be fitted to carry weapons or fuel tanks, each with a capacity of 5,000 lb (2,270 kg)
Cost: $152M^✝ (based on September 2003 estimate of build 276 aircraft at USD 42 bn [1])
Final Assembly: Lockheed-Georgia Co., Marietta, Georgia

^✝ This figure includes R&D cost which perhaps should be shared with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

3 See also

Comparison of 2000s fighter aircraft

4 External links

History of the F-22 program

Related content
Related Development	X-44 MANTA - FB-22
Similar Aircraft
Designation Series	F/A-18 - F-20 - F-21 - F/A-22 - YF-23 - F-35
Related Lists	List of military aircraft of the United States - List of fighter aircraft

US fighter aircraft 1990-1999 US attack aircraft 1990-1999 Stealth aircraft

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