The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation fighter jet, currently in service with the United States Air Force (USAF). It is notable for being the first fifth-generation fighter to reach active service, as well as the USAF’s first supermaneuverable production aircraft. Concieved as an aerial superiority fighter, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor incorporates stealth technology to increase battlefield survivability, and can also take on electronic warfare and surface strike roles if required. It was principally built by Lockheed Martin, with Boeing acting as a secondary contractor to provide part of the plane’s airframe and on board systems. Production ended in 2011 to make way for the forthcoming F-35 Lightning II.
The F-22 is powered by twin Pratt and Whitney F119 turbofan engines, each generating 23,500 pounds of thrust. This figure increases to over 35,000 pounds with afterburner engaged, and gives the Raptor a supercruise speed of Mach 1.82. The aircraft has a range of over 1,600 nautical miles, which can be extended to 1,840 with the addition of external fuel tanks. It is armed with a 20mm M61A2 Vulcan gatling cannon, and has four hardpoints under its wings. Most of the F-22’s armament is stored inside the fuselage of the aircraft in an effort to improve its stealth characteristics. It can be fitted with either air-to-air missiles, including the AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM, or small bombs such as the JDAM or GBU-39. The hardpoints can be used to increase weapons loadout or to carry 600 gallon external drop tanks.
The Raptor is currently only operated by the USAF, due in no small part to US Congress placing a ban on all Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor exports. The Japanese government has expressed an interest in using the aircraft in its Replacement-Fighter program, but as of 2013 no move has been forthcoming. Congress, the Pentagon and the State Department would all need to ratify the sale if it were to go ahead.
195 Raptors were produced between 1996 and 2011, including eight test aircraft. With a cost per unit of $150 million, the total F-22 raptor program is estimated to have cost around $66.7 billion. The aircraft’s cost was a major factor in the decision to end the Raptor program, as the replacement F-35 is a considerably cheaper option.
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor Specifications
- Maximum speed:
- At altitude: Mach 2.25 (1,500 mph, 2,410 km/h) [estimated]
- Supercruise: Mach 1.82 (1,220 mph, 1,963 km/h)
- At altitude: Mach 2.25 (1,500 mph, 2,410 km/h) [estimated]
- Range: >1,600 nmi (1,840 mi, 2,960 km) with 2 external fuel tanks
- Combat radius: 410 nmi (with 100 nmi in supercruise) (471 mi, 759 km)
- Ferry range: 2,000 mi (1,738 nmi, 3,219 km)
- Service ceiling: 65,000 ft (currently restricted to 44,000 ft, sans vests) (19,812 m)
- Rate of climb: 40,000+ ft/min (200 m/s)
- Wing loading: 77 lb/ft² (375 kg/m²)
- Thrust/weight: 1.05 (1.26 with loaded weight & 50% fuel)
- Maximum design g-load: -3.0/+9.0 g