The F-22 Raptor

Closer look at the F-22 Raptor .....

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- The F-22 has a significant capability to attack surface targets. In the air-to-ground configuration the aircraft can carry two 1,000-pound GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munitions internally and will use on-board avionics for navigation and weapons delivery support. In the future air-to-ground capability will be enhanced with the addition of an upgraded radar and up to eight small diameter bombs. The Raptor will also carry two AIM-120s and two AIM-9s in the air-to-ground configuration.

- A combination of sensor capability, integrated avionics, situational awareness, and weapons provides first-kill opportunity against threats. The F-22 possesses a sophisticated sensor suite allowing the pilot to track, identify, shoot and kill air-to-air threats before being detected. Significant advances in cockpit design and sensor fusion improve the pilot's situational awareness. In the air-to-air configuration the Raptor carries six AIM-120 AMRAAMs and two AIM-9 Sidewinders.

- The F-22 engines produce more thrust than any current fighter engine. The combination of sleek aerodynamic design and increased thrust allows the F-22 to cruise at supersonic air speeds (greater than 1.5 Mach) without using afterburner -- a characteristic known as super cruise. Super cruise greatly expands the F-22 's operating envelope in both speed and range over current fighters, which must use fuel-consuming afterburner to operate at supersonic speeds.

- The sophisticated F-22 aerodesign, advanced flight controls, thrust vectoring, and high thrust-to-weight ratio provide the capability to outmaneuver all current and projected aircraft. The F-22 design has been extensively tested and refined aerodynamically during the development process.

- The F-22's characteristics provide a synergistic effect ensuring F-22A lethality against all advanced air threats. The combination of stealth, integrated avionics and supercruise drastically shrinks surface-to-air missile engagement envelopes and minimizes enemy capabilities to track and engage the F-22. The combination of reduced observability and supercruise accentuates the advantage of surprise in a tactical environment.

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General characteristics :-

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- Primary function: air dominance, multi-role fighter.

 

- Contractor: Lockheed-Martin, Boeing.

 

- Power plant: two Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan engines with afterburners and two-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles.

 

- Thrust: 35,000-pound class (each engine).

 

- Wingspan: 44 feet, 6 inches (13.6 meters).

 

- Length: 62 feet, 1 inch (18.9 meters).

 

- Height: 16 feet, 8 inches (5.1 meters).

 

- Weight: 43,340 pounds (19,700 kilograms).

 

- Maximum takeoff weight: 83,500 pounds (38,000 kilograms).

 

- Fuel capacity: internal: 18,000 pounds (8,200 kilograms); with 2 external wing fuel tanks: 26,000 pounds (11,900 kilograms).

 

- Payload: same as armament air-to-air or air-to-ground loadouts; with or without two external wing fuel tanks.

 

- Speed: mach two class with supercruise capability.

 

- Range: more than 1,850 miles ferry range with two external wing fuel tanks (1,600 nautical miles).

 

- Ceiling: above 50,000 feet (15 kilometers).

 

- Armament: one M61A2 20-millimeter cannon with 480 rounds, internal side weapon bays carriage of two AIM-9 infrared (heat seeking) air-to-air missiles and internal main weapon bays carriage of six AIM-120 radar-guided air-to-air missiles (air-to-air loadout) or two 1,000-pound GBU-32 JDAMs and two AIM-120 radar-guided air-to-air missiles (air-to-ground loadout).

 

- Crew: one .

- Unit cost: $143 million .

- Initial operating capability: December 2005 .

- Inventory: total force, 183 .

Done