The F-22 Raptor advanced aircraft is made for air superiority. The F-22 Raptor is single-seat, twin engine aircraft that combines sensor capability with integrated aviation. Lockheed Martin developed the F-22, which is capable of taking on supersonic and stealth planes.
It was developed as a result of the USAF's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program. The F-22 Raptor fighter is the Air Force's fighter of the 21st Century. It is an all-weather and highly maneuverable aircraft. It has a Mach 2.2 cruise speed, four AIM-120A AMRAAM rockets and a 20mm M61 cannon. It is also capable of ground attacks.
The F-22 Raptor was built from 34,000lb of titanium, aluminum and other materials and is operated in the Air Force. It is a single-seat, supersonic, stealth tactical fighter that entered service in 2005. It has an 800-nautical mile combat radius and Mach 2.2 top speed. Currently, the Raptor serves mainly as a training aircraft. However, it is expected to be replaced in about 40 years.
The Raptor has been plagued by problems. It had issues with its radar. The aircraft's painted coating made it difficult for people to find. Third, the ISRT system required that the airframe be redesigned. This involved extensive overhauls. These are production-line issues that don't impact the design.
The Air Force has however been working to upgrade the F-22. The current platform is a bridge to the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platform. The NGAD is expected include an advanced piloted stealth aircraft and unmanned combat aerial vehicles. NGAD uses advanced sensors, weapons and technology. NGAD will include a larger internal weapons carriage, and a faster speed.
Andrew Hunter, chief of acquisition for Air Force, says that the NGAD project is very important. He suggests that 33 Block 20 F-22A Raptors in the F-22A Block should be retired.
The Raptor has been under flight test at Edwards Air Force Base California for several weeks. The second model will be joining the test program by August.
The F-22 Raptor is an excellent fighter jet but there are some limitations. One of the most important is the cost. Due to testing and funding issues, production has been delayed. It has been called overkill in the post-1945 world. These problems have been addressed by solutions.
The Raptor's fuel consumption is another problem. The Raptor needs approximately 10 gallons a minute of fuel. This is very costly. As a result, the Raptor is not capable of refueling from an aircraft carrier.
The Raptor's maintenance cost is also a concern. The upkeep costs are estimated to be about $600,000 per aircraft, which is a significant price tag. However, the government is always on the lookout for low-cost aircraft that are high quality.
These problems aside, the Raptor remains a highly capable aircraft. It has been given the Collier Trophy 2006. If it continues to perform, it will become the world's first supersonic fighter.