View allAll Photos Tagged Versatile
Zenza Bronica ETRsi, Zenzanon 75mm f2.8, Kodak t-max 100 developed in Super Prodol, Epson GT-X830. 1/60, f/4.
And now something a little different.
I do not know terribly much about the Mouse Guards, one pictured here, I just think they look nice. I have seen Shelly post about them, I also know there was a movie in the works at some point but it ran into problems and I don’t think it’s on anymore.
I saw a Getcrazybricks Kickstarter thing about these a while ago and decided to support enough to get at least one figure just to see how they’re like. It arrived a few days ago and it looked great!
Due to the nature of these figures I went for exceptionally heavy editing with the colours. It’s a mouse with cape, shield and a sword, no need for strict realism here exactly.
This is obviously not an official Lego product but rather something that is compatible with the brick. Nevertheless, I'm treating it as Lego. It just shows how versatile the Danish toy is.
Genus Morph is so cool and really versatile but can have a bit of a learning curve compared to EvoX and SLUV heads. If you're not sure where to start ALT3 have got you covered. They make fantastic makeup, skins and appliers for Genus. And for Lelutka, Kreep and much much more. Right now till October 20th you can use the code blow (just copy and paste) to get 30% off the great stuff ALT3 makes. Make the most of your head and more at ALT3.
This season code: FUGAZI01
The code can be used as many times as you would like, valid at the Mainstore Only, expiring October 20th. Save a bundle and get the look you want!
I'm wearing the Monique Genus 4K head skin and Waifu Body Skin in 00 tone.
Also wearing the Lusty FX 2K 3D Materials
ALT3 - Lusty FX 2K 3D Materials
- Sold by body brand
- Includes face appliers for: Lelutka EVOX, Genus SLUV + 4K, Akeruka ADVX
- Supports: eBody Reborn, Legacy M + F, Inithium Bodies, Maitreya Lara + X, Anatomy M and Belleza GenX
- MOD Support: V-Tech, Maze Arms + Thighs, Dios Puss
From TANAKA x TREVOR available at GOTHCORE Mainstore and GOTHCORE
July 24 - August 12
"X-CLAWS" Retractable combat claws
- 6 Unique skills: Berserker Combo, Tornado Claw, Claw Slash, Berserker Slash, Drill Claw, Fatal Claw
- 30+ Claw animations
- 10 + Metal Textures
- Fatpack includes 5 extra textures : Night, Gold, Classic Silver, Red Flame, Kanji
- 10+ SFX and VFX
- Flamewar / Snoware Combat System Combatible
- Totally Customizable (no DevKit included)
- Materials/Mod/Copy
TREVOR - Mainstore
TREVOR - Marketplace
TANAKA - Mainstore
From KILLJOY, available at Uber
July 25 - August 22
"Phantom" Shrug
- Rigged to Reborn(Waifu) / Legacy(Perky) / Lara X. It fits MOST mods - please try demo to ensure it works for you!
- Latex, Synthetic & Pattern textures (25 in total) + 5 button textures
- This item is fully loaded with PBR textures including fallbacks, plus a separate legacy HUD included with purchase.
- Copy/Mod/Materials
I'm wearing the PBR version - look how realistic the specularity looks!
KILLJOY mainstore
From PSYCHO:Byts available at Reborn Event
July 22 - August 7
" Nix - N.i.g.h.t" Cyber Boots
- Sizes: Maitreya/LaraX, Petite/PetiteX, Legacy & Reborn
- 9 Fabric, 9 Sole, 9 Plastic (tech knee) & 4 Metal textures
- Custom Knee Textures by parts
- 4 Styles: Complete Boot, Mid Boot, Up and Knee or only Knee
- Materials/Mod/Copy
PSYCHO:Byts Mainstore
From Normandy available at their Mainstore
"Spectre" Briefs
- 10 briefs/accents/wire colours accessible via included HUD
- Materials/Mod/Copy
Normandy Mainstore
From SEKA available Wasteland
July 30 - August 18
"PowerOn" collar
- Sold as Fatpack, has all colours included
- Includes HUD that lets you customize your new item on the go!
- Animated displau shows power charging up
- Unrigged and includes resizing controls to fit any body
- Materials, Mod, copy
SEKA Mainstore
Other stuff:
CALLI - Veins
TF - Body Veins
HANZ - Electrical Discharges Upper [Light] BoM
SAXO - Dead Veins Body Unisex
WARPAINT - Bare Lip Essentials, Tenebra Eyeshadow
eBODY - REBORN and Waifus
GENUS - MORPH Heart Base, Bunny Eyes, Luscious Lips, Nubian Nose
PIXEL ART - Cat Claws
VISTA ANIMATIONS-FACIAL BENTO HUD for GENUS-V1.1
VOID - Demure Lashes
CRYBUNBUN - Replicant Spine
L'EMPORIO - Dark Tape
MONSO - Lucy Hair
RUNAWAY - Duct taped Top
The Federal Building located at 111 South Orange Avenue was constructed as a U.S. Post Office with a WPA federal subsidy of $175,000 appropriated by Congress in 1931. Plans for the Neoclassical Revival Style Post Office were prepared by George Albree Freeman, his associate, Harold N. Hall, and supervising architect, Louis A. Simon. The test borings for the foundation were prepared by the local Sarasota contractor, C.W. Matheny, and the plans of George Albree Freeman and H.N. Hall were approved at the Washington D.C. level by August of 1932.
A contemporary newspaper clipping described the building as a “Classical design of the Corinthian type, fireproofed throughout with steel structure piling in the foundations. The most modern plumbing, heating, and ventilating equipment will be installed. One radical innovation in the new Post Office will be the use of marble and aluminum where metal is ordinarily employed in parts of the building used by the public.” Although Neoclassical Revival in style, several design elements and materials were indeed innovative for the time; in particular, the suppressed or implied parapet which appears at the western elevation and the use of aluminum in the interior.
The Federal Building or Post Office is an example of the fourth building period phase (1930 – 1935) in the city of Sarasota. Following a collapse of the land boom in Sarasota and the subsequent national Depression, new construction projects signaling recovery were heralded in the local press. The arrival of the S.H. Kress Company building in Sarasota received major press coverage in 1931 and the allocation in 1931 of Federal funds for the erection of the Post Office received equally enthusiastic coverage. Although the supervising contracting firm was the Worsham Brothers of Knoxville, Tennessee, Federal money and new construction created construction jobs in Sarasota.
The Post Office designs were created by George Albree Freeman who was born in 1859 in New York and practiced architecture in Stanford, Connecticut the latter part of the 19th Century. Mr. Freeman also practiced architecture in New York City where he shared an office at 28 West 23rd Street with the nationally prominent architect Bruce Price. Together Freeman and Price designed a Shingle Style residence (Seacroft) located near Seabright, New Jersey. The drawings for the resort shingle-style house are dated 1882. Freeman's architectural commissions in New York include a Neo-Georgian building dated 1904, extant at 128 East 44th Street.
George Albree Freeman first appears in Polk's Sarasota City Directory in 1926 with an office listed as 12 Blackburn Building located at 113 South Palm Avenue. George Albree Freeman was also the architect of record for the residence of Mr. Powell Crosley, Jr., located in greater Sarasota with plans prepared June 1929. The residence of Mr. Powell Crosley, also known as Seagat, was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in February of 1983. Freeman was a versatile and eclectic architect designing everything from Shingle Style seasonal residences to high style Mediterranean Revival mansions such as Seagate, as well as a Neo-Georgian townhouse in New York City, and finally, the Neoclassical Post Office or Federal Building in Sarasota, Florida. George Albree Freeman died on February 22, 1934. The Federal Building or new Post Office was presumably Mr. Freeman's last executed design.
The associate architect of the Federal Building, Harold N. Hall, was a local engineer and architect who was the architect of record for the Woman's Club located at 1241 North Palm Avenue.
In summary, the Post Office or Federal Building, located at 111 South Orange Avenue is significant in the use of stylized Neoclassical Revival Style ornamentation. Quality of craftsmanship is represented in the carved elements, in particular, the handling of the acanthus leaves of the Corinthian capitals which appear at the colonnade of the west elevation. The interpretation of Neoclassical Revival Style motifs is academic in handling. Neoclassical elements are applied to the building in an academic and accurate manner, such as the string courses, modillioned entablatures, and columns in antis. The Neoclassical ornamentation, however, is not “parroted.” Stylized elements appear, including the use of an implied pediment, which appears above the 9-bay loggia doors located at the west elevation, the modern material grilles being Neoclassical in form, the material being innovative. The Federal Building is a prominent building on a landmark site. Number 111 South Orange Avenue is significant as an example of the building industry in Sarasota and a product of the Works Progress Administration. Finally, it is the last monumental design project executed by the architect, George Albree Freeman.
Credit for the data above is given to the following websites:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Post_Office%E2%80%93F...(Sarasota,_Florida)
www.sarasotahistoryalive.com/history/buildings/federal-bu...
www.emporis.com/buildings/387504/federal-building-sarasot...
www.sarasotahistoryalive.com/history/videos/federal-build...
© All Rights Reserved - you may not use this image in any form without my prior permission.
CC Most Versatile
Above this candle is a plastic sheet upon which I photographed water drops. I only used the candle briefly because of all the flammable materials I was using. A flashlight worked better for what I was attempting to do. I had a variety of pieces of poster board in different colors that I tried when photographing the water droplets. Not a good photo, but it shows some options for what you may want to do.
A quick selfie, in the mirror, with a frost frame to make it feel colder... I was actually indoors! lol
So last week we got 2nd and were knocked off the top spot which was a wake-up call so we had to step up our game! I loved, loved, loved this theme!
For this photo, I wanted to exude versatility and give Erin a a whole new look, with Thick brows, copper hair and lots of movement! I wanted a cool edgy background, and very straight, edgy clothes! I wanted it to look very editorial!
I hope you like it! :)
The Catalina, officially known as the Consolidated PBY Catalina, was a versatile flying boat used by various nations during and after World War II. It was known for its long-range capabilities, ability to land on water, and served in roles such as reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare, and search and rescue. The Catalina played a crucial role in maritime operations during the war and has a significant place in aviation history.
The versatility of the King Raptor platform allows for numerous weapons loads to be fitted depending on the mission. This particular F-22C is outfitted with a typical air superiority loadout:
- 6x AIM-120G AMRAAMs in the centerline internal bay
- 4x AIM-120G AMRAAMs on pylons under the wings
- 2x AIM-9 Block IV Sidewinders in the side internal bays
- 2x 700 gallon external fuel tanks
- internally mounted M61A2 Vulcan 20 mm cannon w/ 600 rounds
This aircraft is assigned to the 325th Fighter Wing, based at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.
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Something else that's been done since last August that I never took photos of.
Based off of Corvin's original F-22 design.
The 'Most Versatile' challenge is set by the Compositionally Challenged Group. Many thanks to Sharon for this months fab themes.
In this month's challenge, 9 members entered 90 photos, so all members completed all 10 themes. These members, in play order were: Ms. J, Dave, Maria, Robin, Sharon, Pat, Carissa, Andy and Lesley.
This montage features at least one photo per person, and at least one photo per theme. To view the complete challenge and entries, click Here.
DSN Howlers – Advanced Recon Force
The DSN Advanced Recon Force infantry squad is widely known and feared as a versatile hard hitting and fast moving unit. Pictured here is Squad 8 of Battalion 42. Made up of 7 of the finest soldiers in the DSN, Squad 8 was honored to be chosen as tip of the spear for the DSN DA4 invasion. Known by the rest of the fleet as "The Howlers" the squad is as follows:
First there’s Commandant Chan: she’s tough as nails and runs a tight ship. The DSN doesn’t let their mid level commanders hide back in bunkers or up in space, no, our Commandant’s are in the thick of things up to their chests with mud… or seaweed depending on the operating theater. You can see Chan toting her special issue Commandant pistol wherever the battle takes her.
Next up is her 2nd in command, Sargent Sue Dongivafugc. You know why they name a boy Sue after all. The Sargent is a veteran of countless campaigns, and is prone to remind wet behind the ears recruits that he has a medal rack the length of his prodigious… umm, yeah. He’s not going to win any PC awards but he’s the best there is. He’s worked with Chan before and has given her perhaps the highest praise a gruff Sargent ever can, saying: “She dern near broke me back in hand to hand.”
That brings us to the squad medic: Mad Moody Michaels. How did he get that nickname? He won’t tell. But damnit he can throw together a beautiful field splint. He carries emergency inflatable stretchers and a near magical elixir used by DSN doctors across the empire for immediate stabilization of the heavily injured.
When an enemy position must be relayed back to HQ, or when close air support is needed to get out of a hairy situation, there’s no better comms lieutenant than Red Dead Ruby. Once in a blind fit of beserker rage she smeared her own blood from a bullet wound over her face then charged the enemy line ahead of her compatriots. Maybe she never quite came back to normal as she still has an odd facial tic and wears red paint on her face in battle to this day. Given her potential volatility as a riflewoman, command thought it best to put her on comms where she excelled from day 1, apparently an electronics freak, and also happy to carry the heavy multiple wavelength antennas without a complaint.
The twins – the team’s heavy fire rifle support members – are neck and neck at the top in every marksmanship contest the DSN holds, but even better, they are the wise cracking jocular spiritual center of squad 8.
Finally, that brings us to the squad pilot – Green Gwen. Named after the pigment of her skin, she’s not from the DSN home planet, but the nearby early ally turned full-fledged empire provincial planet: Dathgomir where everybody is a bit green. She’s rated for every vehicle in the DSN arsenal, but loves her trusty Yakamatic 2000 crawler utility vehicle with an intense passion.
The Yakamatic 2000 Crawler Utility Vehicle (Y2CUV) is the logistical backbone of the Advanced Recon Force squad arrangement. There’s no scrap that the Yak’s heavy blasters, woven carbon/diamond fiber armor, or quick scuttling can’t get the team out of safely. Plus it carries all the bivouac gear on the roof rack and a modular cargo pod in the back for various mission needs.
This build and many more to come on this account are for the game Decisive Action 4 on Flickr. Come on over and check it out!
Photo taken at a beach on Puget Sound :)
C-GUPP, a Beech A100 King Air, on approach to runway 06R at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario.
It was arriving as THU106 (Thunder Airlines Limited) from Timmins, Ontario.
Serial number B-157 began its career as N123CS with The Citizens and Southern National Bank at Atlanta, Georgia in March 1973.
During the past half century, this aircraft has performed many missions. It has carried corporate executives between major cities, operated as a scheduled airliner between communities in Northern Ontario and hauled cargo onto and off of gravel strips at remote locations.
This aircraft has been modified with Dual Aft Body Strakes designed by Raisbeck Engineering, Inc. of Seattle, Washington.
Versatile leather with wingtip flare, ankle height, and available with or without broguing the new Hudsons are perfect to pair with a suit or just jeans.
Available as our exclusive this month at ALPHA:
Tailored for the following mesh bodies :
*Meshbody Legacy M (and Basic)
*Meshbody Legacy F (and Basic)
*Meshbody Athletic
*Anatomy
*Belleza Jake
*Signature Gianni
*Maitreya Lara and LaraX
*eBody Reborn
Discounted Eventpack contains both Brogue and Solids Versions of the Hudson Ankle Highs.
Fatpacks also available in either Brogue or Solids along with select single colors of each.
🎁**Flash Giveaway Winner - Sadal Suub has won a Hudson Ankle High Collection EVENTPACK!*
SOO 2408 was built 12/54 for Wisconsin Central. It was on the First Subdivision way freight at Buffalo on
June 27, 1979 running late in the afternoon as Extra 2408 West. It was sold to I&M Rail in April, 1997 by CP.
C-FXAW, an Israel 1124 Westwind I, on approach to runway 23 at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario.
It was arriving as PHX280 (2080061 Ontario Inc., doing business as SkyCare Air Ambulance) from Dorval, Quebec.
Serial number 280 began its career as N290W with Langham Petroleum Corporation in Houston, Texas on March 28, 1980.
The 46-year-old bizjet looked brand new.
After thinking of some possibilities of using the musket, here are few themes I thought of; Armada, Pirate, and American Revolution.
I had a few other ideas, but these ones turned out best.
Zooming into the Hibiscus bud this afternoon, I think I've created a masterpiece!
EXPLORE #386, 09-13-08
A versatile cabin that's perfect all year round with texture change HUD included - but especially cosy with its snow textures for the upcoming winter! ❄️
HUD includes 3 woods for floor/walls, on/off snow roof & on/off frosty windows.
110 LI, or 87 LI with the snow roof unlinked.
Footprint: 25.5x12.6m
Photo features new tarte. landscaping release that perfectly compliments the cabin's exterior - find it in the same booth at equal10. ☃️
Originally bought the bellows to use on Leica III with visoflex II . But with adapter connected to original Leicaflex . Shown with the versatile 65mm elmar lens head . This outfit gives focus from 5cm to infinity . A useful combo ... with one lens you can shoot a landscape or a flower . Comfortable to be used hand held .
Day 1 - Here goes another week of hand self portraits! Appears as though my rain boots are very veratile!
I am making some stocking fillers for my great nieces and nephews. (I like to start Christmas early!)
These are only 6 inches tall (15cm in modern money) and are made up of so many small parts that they are fiddly. The fairy took a whole week to make!
Few #transport systems as versatile as the #ricksha #Dhanmondi #Dhaka #trade #eavig #bangladesh
109 Likes on Instagram
2 Comments on Instagram:
ata_md_adnan: I wonder if you ever use anything other than your phone camera for daily photographs
shahidul001: No. I have a small Lumix but never use it these days
After my solo skateboarding session at the skate park, I headed home, still feeling that post-skate buzz. A warm shower was exacrtl what I needed also being able to have my new ink
from Hoodlem the wait of healing was so worth it and being able to showcase this new set from catarsis along with the new hand ink and we cant forget one of our new wigs from
monso this pony sure does make the look so the warm shower is truly needed, and as the water washed away the dustand sweat, I started thinkin about dinner. I had been waiting for the perfect
moment to wear not only my second wig from tram but also the new outfit I ordered from Tres Blah, along with these adorable pearl bow heels from Mantra plus my new accessories from both
Yummy and babyboo and tonight really felt like the right time. Slipping into the outfit, I admired the fit. Tres Blah always nailed that blend of chic and casual, perfect for a night
out at the new bistro in Portofino. The sun had just begun to set as I arrived, casting a warm glow over the outdoor seating area. I was lucky there was a beautiful table open outside,
tucked away enough for a little privacy but with a great view of path where the vines twirled and bloomed beautiful flowers on the gates. As I settled in, I decided to start my evening with
something special s'mores old fashioned from ChicChica. The drink arrived in a glass that looked as good as it tasted, the sweetness of the marshmallow and chocolate blending perfectly
with the smoky bourbon. It was the ideal start to what I knew would be a relaxing, enjoyable evening.
For more details on this location and outfit details look at my Blog ❣
The 'Most Versatile' challenge is set by the Compositionally Challenged Group. Big thanks to Sharon for this months fab themes.
In this month's challenge, 10 members entered 98 photos, and 9 members completed all 10 themes. These members, in play order were: Ms. J, Maria, Pat, Sandi, Sharon, Robin, Dave, Linda and Andy.
This montage features at least one photo per person, and at least one photo per theme. To view the complete challenge and entries, click Here.
Versatility and benefits attic of the house. Attic in your home can be transformed into a variety of useful space. The loft can be a solution if you want to add to the room, but none of the rest area in the house are available and can be used. Attic not only can serve as a warehouse or store...
Fidele wears Midnite's outfit and accessories. I live how she is do versatile and can be a princess, a knight, or a villain ;)
✨Elegant and versatile, the Kinky Vanity Set brings luxury furniture with interactive animations, customizable textures, and playful features.
✨The Kinky Vanity Set includes a vanity console, wall sconce, vanity stool (PG) with 10 single female animations, and a vanity armchair (A) with 6 cuddle, 12 foreplay, and 33 adult animations, featuring PBR & legacy HUDs with 4 metal finishes (gold, silver, black, soft pink) and 6 fabric colors, copy & mod, 2–7 LI, 100% original mesh.
Versatility is my final project after a one year photographic course. All the pictures are made from my old pictures of flowers.
The versatile Indologist James Prinsep (b. 1799, d. 1840) came to India in 1819. He joined as the assay-master of the Calcutta Mint in 1829 and simultaneously took charge of the Asiatic Society of Bengal as Secretary. During his tenure some of the important works were - preparation of scripts of Brahmi and Kharosti, introduction of uniform coinage of the East India Company's rupees, reformation of weights and measures, and the construction of the circular canal linking the Hoogly river and the Sunderbans.
After his death the citizens of Calcutta raised public funds to construct this monument on the eastern bank of the Hoogly river. The Monument is an example of Palladian architecture, an European architectural style derived from and inspired by the designs of Venetian architect Andrea Palladio (1508-1580). The building was restored in 2012 by the current government of West Bengal.
We did this shoot at a local business campus on a March day that felt like July - absolutely perfect shooting conditions, with three of my favorite models and some excellent photographers - life doesn't get better than this!!
I love shooting with Valerie but she is so busy and our schedules never match. She told me her goal is to get more shoots in and my cameras like the thought of that. We go way back and she is like family to us. It's been fun watching her mature and succeed over the years, but I really hope to get more shoots with her in soon!
An Air Force Lockheed Martin F-22 "Raptor" assigned to the 3rd Wing flies over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Feb. 27, 2018. The Lockheed Martin F-22 "Raptor" is the U.S. Air Force’s premium fifth-generation fighter asset.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Lockheed Martin F-22 "Raptor" is a fifth-generation, single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather stealth tactical fighter aircraft developed for the United States Air Force (USAF). The result of the USAF's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program, the aircraft was designed primarily as an air superiority fighter, but also has ground attack, electronic warfare, and signal intelligence capabilities. The prime contractor, Lockheed Martin, built most of the F-22's airframe and weapons systems and conducted final assembly, while Boeing provided the wings, aft fuselage, avionics integration, and training systems.
The aircraft was variously designated F-22 and F/A-22 before it formally entered service in December 2005 as the F-22A. Despite its protracted development and various operational issues, USAF officials consider the F-22 a critical component of the service's tactical air power. Its combination of stealth, aerodynamic performance, and situational awareness enable unprecedented air combat capabilities.
Service officials had originally planned to buy a total of 750 ATFs. In 2009, the program was cut to 187 operational production aircraft due to high costs, a lack of clear air-to-air missions due to delays in Russian and Chinese fighter programs, a ban on exports, and development of the more versatile F-35. The last F-22 was delivered in 2012.
Development
Origins
In 1981, the U.S. Air Force identified a requirement for an Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) to replace the F-15 "Eagle" and F-16 "Fighting Falcon". Code named "Senior Sky", this air-superiority fighter program was influenced by emerging worldwide threats, including new developments in Soviet air defense systems and the proliferation of the Su-27 "Flanker"- and MiG-29 "Fulcrum"-class of fighter aircraft. It would take advantage of the new technologies in fighter design on the horizon, including composite materials, lightweight alloys, advanced flight control systems, more powerful propulsion systems, and most importantly, stealth technology. In 1983, the ATF concept development team became the System Program Office (SPO) and managed the program at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The demonstration and validation (Dem/Val) request for proposals (RFP) was issued in September 1985, with requirements placing strong emphasis on stealth and supercruise. Of the seven bidding companies, Lockheed and Northrop were selected on 31 October 1986. Lockheed teamed with Boeing and General Dynamics while Northrop teamed with McDonnell Douglas, and the two contractor teams undertook a 50-month Dem/Val phase, culminating in the flight test of two technology demonstrator prototypes, the YF-22 and the YF-23, respectively.
Dem/Val was focused on risk reduction and technology development plans over specific aircraft designs. Contractors made extensive use of analytical and empirical methods, including computational fluid dynamics, wind-tunnel testing, and radar cross-section calculations and pole testing; the Lockheed team would conduct nearly 18,000 hours of wind-tunnel testing. Avionics development was marked by extensive testing and prototyping and supported by ground and flying laboratories. During Dem/Val, the SPO used the results of performance and cost trade studies conducted by contractor teams to adjust ATF requirements and delete ones that were significant weight and cost drivers while having marginal value. The short takeoff and landing (STOL) requirement was relaxed in order to delete thrust-reversers, saving substantial weight. As avionics was a major cost driver, side-looking radars were deleted, and the dedicated infra-red search and track (IRST) system was downgraded from multi-color to single color and then deleted as well. However, space and cooling provisions were retained to allow for future addition of these components. The ejection seat requirement was downgraded from a fresh design to the existing McDonnell Douglas ACES II. Despite efforts by the contractor teams to rein in weight, the takeoff gross weight estimate was increased from 50,000 lb (22,700 kg) to 60,000 lb (27,200 kg), resulting in engine thrust requirement increasing from 30,000 lbf (133 kN) to 35,000 lbf (156 kN) class.
Each team produced two prototype air vehicles for Dem/Val, one for each of the two engine options. The YF-22 had its maiden flight on 29 September 1990 and in flight tests achieved up to Mach 1.58 in supercruise. After the Dem/Val flight test of the prototypes, on 23 April 1991, Secretary of the USAF Donald Rice announced the Lockheed team as the winner of the ATF competition. The YF-23 design was considered stealthier and faster, while the YF-22, with its thrust vectoring nozzles, was more maneuverable as well as less expensive and risky. The aviation press speculated that the Lockheed team's design was also more adaptable to the U.S. Navy's Navalized Advanced Tactical Fighter (NATF), but by 1992, the Navy had abandoned NATF.
Production and procurement
As the program moved to full-scale development, or the Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) stage, the production version had notable differences from the YF-22, despite having a broadly similar shape. The swept-back angle of the leading edge was decreased from 48° to 42°, while the vertical stabilizers were shifted rearward and decreased in area by 20%. To improve pilot visibility, the canopy was moved forward 7 inches (18 cm), and the engine intakes moved rearward 14 inches (36 cm). The shapes of the wing and stabilator trailing edges were refined to improve aerodynamics, strength, and stealth characteristics. Increasing weight during development caused slight reductions in range and maneuver performance.
Prime contractor Lockheed Martin Aeronautics manufactured the majority of the airframe and performed final assembly at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia; program partner Boeing Defense, Space & Security provided additional airframe components as well as avionics integration and training systems. The first F-22, an EMD aircraft with tail number 4001, was unveiled at Marietta, Georgia, on 9 April 1997, and first flew on 7 September 1997. Production, with the first lot awarded in September 2000, supported over 1,000 subcontractors and suppliers from 46 states and up to 95,000 jobs, and spanned 15 years at a peak rate of roughly two airplanes per month. In 2006, the F-22 development team won the Collier Trophy, American aviation's most prestigious award. Due to the aircraft's advanced nature, contractors have been targeted by cyberattacks and technology theft.
The USAF originally envisioned ordering 750 ATFs at a total program cost of $44.3 billion and procurement cost of $26.2 billion in fiscal year (FY) 1985 dollars, with production beginning in 1994. The 1990 Major Aircraft Review led by Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney reduced this to 648 aircraft beginning in 1996. By 1997, funding instability had further cut the total to 339, which was again reduced to 277 by 2003. In 2004, the Department of Defense (DoD) further reduced this to 183 operational aircraft, despite the USAF's preference for 381. A multi-year procurement plan was implemented in 2006 to save $15 billion, with total program cost projected to be $62 billion for 183 F-22s distributed to seven combat squadrons. In 2008, Congress passed a defense spending bill that raised the total orders for production aircraft to 187.
The first two F-22s built were EMD aircraft in the Block 1.0 configuration for initial flight testing, while the third was a Block 2.0 aircraft built to represent the internal structure of production airframes and enabled it to test full flight loads. Six more EMD aircraft were built in the Block 10 configuration for development and upgrade testing, with the last two considered essentially production quality jets. Production for operational squadrons consisted of 37 Block 20 training aircraft and 149 Block 30/35 combat aircraft; one of the Block 35 aircraft is dedicated to flight sciences at Edwards Air Force Base.
The numerous new technologies in the F-22 resulted in substantial cost overruns and delays. Many capabilities were deferred to post-service upgrades, reducing the initial cost but increasing total program cost. As production wound down in 2011, the total program cost is estimated to be about $67.3 billion, with $32.4 billion spent on Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) and $34.9 billion on procurement and military construction (MILCON) in then year dollars. The incremental cost for an additional F-22 was estimated at about $138 million in 2009.
Ban on exports
The F-22 cannot be exported under US federal law to protect its stealth technology and other high-tech features. Customers for U.S. fighters are acquiring earlier designs such as the F-15 "Eagle" and F-16 "Fighting Falcon" or the newer F-35 "Lightning II", which contains technology from the F-22 but was designed to be cheaper, more flexible, and available for export. In September 2006, Congress upheld the ban on foreign F-22 sales. Despite the ban, the 2010 defense authorization bill included provisions requiring the DoD to prepare a report on the costs and feasibility for an F-22 export variant, and another report on the effect of F-22 export sales on U.S. aerospace industry.
Some Australian politicians and defense commentators proposed that Australia should attempt to purchase F-22s instead of the planned F-35s, citing the F-22's known capabilities and F-35's delays and developmental uncertainties. However, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) determined that the F-22 was unable to perform the F-35's strike and close air support roles. The Japanese government also showed interest in the F-22 for its Replacement-Fighter program. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) would reportedly require fewer fighters for its mission if it obtained the F-22, thus reducing engineering and staffing costs. However, in 2009 it was reported that acquiring the F-22 would require increases to the Japanese government's defense budget beyond the historical 1 percent of its GDP. With the end of F-22 production, Japan chose the F-35 in December 2011. Israel also expressed interest, but eventually chose the F-35 because of the F-22's price and unavailability.
Production termination
Throughout the 2000s, the need for F-22s was debated, due to rising costs and the lack of relevant adversaries. In 2006, Comptroller General of the United States David Walker found that "the DoD has not demonstrated the need" for more investment in the F-22, and further opposition to the program was expressed by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon R. England, Senator John McCain, and Chairman of U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services Senator John Warner. The F-22 program lost influential supporters in 2008 after the forced resignations of Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force General T. Michael Moseley.
In November 2008, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates stated that the F-22 was not relevant in post-Cold War conflicts such as irregular warfare operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and in April 2009, under the new Obama Administration, he called for ending production in FY2011, leaving the USAF with 187 production aircraft. In July, General James Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated to the Senate Committee on Armed Services his reasons for supporting termination of F-22 production. They included shifting resources to the multirole F-35 to allow proliferation of fifth-generation fighters for three service branches and preserving the F/A-18 production line to maintain the military's electronic warfare (EW) capabilities in the Boeing EA-18G "Growler". Issues with the F-22's reliability and availability also raised concerns. After President Obama threatened to veto further production, the Senate voted in July 2009 in favor of ending production and the House subsequently agreed to abide by the 187 production aircraft cap. Gates stated that the decision was taken in light of the F-35's capabilities, and in 2010, he set the F-22 requirement to 187 aircraft by lowering the number of major regional conflict preparations from two to one.
In 2010, USAF initiated a study to determine the costs of retaining F-22 tooling for a future Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). A RAND Corporation paper from this study estimated that restarting production and building an additional 75 F-22s would cost $17 billion, resulting in $227 million per aircraft, or $54 million higher than the flyaway cost. Lockheed Martin stated that restarting the production line itself would cost about $200 million. Production tooling and associated documentation were subsequently stored at the Sierra Army Depot, allowing the retained tooling to support the fleet life cycle. There were reports that attempts to retrieve this tooling found empty containers, but a subsequent audit found that the tooling was stored as expected.
Russian and Chinese fighter developments have fueled concern, and in 2009, General John Corley, head of Air Combat Command, stated that a fleet of 187 F-22s would be inadequate, but Secretary Gates dismissed General Corley's concern. In 2011, Gates explained that Chinese fifth-generation fighter developments had been accounted for when the number of F-22s was set, and that the U.S. would have a considerable advantage in stealth aircraft in 2025, even with F-35 delays. In December 2011, the 195th and final F-22 was completed out of 8 test EMD and 187 operational aircraft produced; the aircraft was delivered to the USAF on 2 May 2012.
In April 2016, the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee proposed legislation that would direct the Air Force to conduct a cost study and assessment associated with resuming production of the F-22. Since the production halt directed in 2009 by then Defense Secretary Gates, lawmakers and the Pentagon noted that air warfare systems of Russia and China were catching up to those of the U.S. Lockheed Martin has proposed upgrading the Block 20 training aircraft into combat-coded Block 30/35 versions as a way to increase numbers available for deployment. On 9 June 2017, the Air Force submitted their report to Congress stating they had no plans to restart the F-22 production line due to economic and operational issues; it estimated it would cost approximately $50 billion to procure 194 additional F-22s at a cost of $206–$216 million per aircraft, including approximately $9.9 billion for non-recurring start-up costs and $40.4 billion for aircraft procurement costs.
Upgrades
The first aircraft with combat-capable Block 3.0 software flew in 2001. Increment 2, the first upgrade program, was implemented in 2005 for Block 20 aircraft onward and enabled the employment of Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM). Certification of the improved AN/APG-77(V)1 radar was completed in March 2007, and airframes from production Lot 5 onward are fitted with this radar, which incorporates air-to-ground modes. Increment 3.1 for Block 30 aircraft onward provided improved ground-attack capability through synthetic aperture radar mapping and radio emitter direction finding, electronic attack and Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) integration; testing began in 2009 and the first upgraded aircraft was delivered in 2011. To address oxygen deprivation issues, F-22s were fitted with an automatic backup oxygen system (ABOS) and modified life support system starting in 2012.
Increment 3.2 for Block 35 aircraft is a two-part upgrade process; 3.2A focuses on electronic warfare, communications and identification, while 3.2B includes geolocation improvements and a new stores management system to show the correct symbols for the AIM-9X and AIM-120D. To enable two-way communication with other platforms, the F-22 can use the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) as a gateway. The planned Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) integration was cut due to development delays and lack of proliferation among USAF platforms. The F-22 fleet is planned to start receiving Increment 3.2B as well as a software upgrade for cryptography capabilities and avionics stability in May 2019. A Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Joint (MIDS-J) radio that replaces the current Link-16 receive-only box is expected to be operational by 2020. Subsequent upgrades are also focusing on having an open architecture to enable faster future enhancements.
In 2024, funding is projected to begin for the F-22 mid-life upgrade (MLU), which is expected to include new sensors and antennas, hardware refresh, cockpit improvements, and a helmet mounted display and cuing system. Other enhancements being developed include IRST functionality for the AN/AAR-56 Missile Launch Detector (MLD) and more durable stealth coating based on the F-35's.
The F-22 was designed for a service life of 8,000 flight hours, with a $350 million "structures retrofit program". Investigations are being made for upgrades to extend their useful lives further. In the long term, the F-22 is expected to be superseded by a sixth-generation jet fighter to be fielded in the 2030s.
Design
Overview
The F-22 "Raptor" is a fifth-generation fighter that is considered fourth generation in stealth aircraft technology by the USAF. It is the first operational aircraft to combine supercruise, supermaneuverability, stealth, and sensor fusion in a single weapons platform. The F-22 has four empennage surfaces, retractable tricycle landing gear, and clipped delta wings with reverse trailing edge sweep and leading edge extensions running to the upper outboard corner of the inlets. Flight control surfaces include leading-edge flaps, flaperons, ailerons, rudders on the canted vertical stabilizers, and all-moving horizontal tails (stabilators); for speed brake function, the ailerons deflect up, flaperons down, and rudders outwards to increase drag.
The aircraft's dual Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 augmented turbofan engines are closely spaced and incorporate pitch-axis thrust vectoring nozzles with a range of ±20 degrees; each engine has maximum thrust in the 35,000 lbf (156 kN) class. The F-22's thrust-to-weight ratio at typical combat weight is nearly at unity in maximum military power and 1.25 in full afterburner. Maximum speed without external stores is approximately Mach 1.8 at military power and greater than Mach 2 with afterburners.
The F-22's high cruise speed and operating altitude over prior fighters improve the effectiveness of its sensors and weapon systems, and increase survivability against ground defenses such as surface-to-air missiles. The aircraft is among only a few that can supercruise, or sustain supersonic flight without using fuel-inefficient afterburners; it can intercept targets which subsonic aircraft would lack the speed to pursue and an afterburner-dependent aircraft would lack the fuel to reach. The F-22's thrust and aerodynamics enable regular combat speeds of Mach 1.5 at 50,000 feet (15,000 m). The use of internal weapons bays permits the aircraft to maintain comparatively higher performance over most other combat-configured fighters due to a lack of aerodynamic drag from external stores. The aircraft's structure contains a significant amount of high-strength materials to withstand stress and heat of sustained supersonic flight. Respectively, titanium alloys and composites comprise 39% and 24% of the structural weight.
The F-22's aerodynamics, relaxed stability, and powerful thrust-vectoring engines give it excellent maneuverability and energy potential across its flight envelope. The airplane has excellent high alpha (angle of attack) characteristics, capable of flying at trimmed alpha of over 60° while maintaining roll control and performing maneuvers such as the Herbst maneuver (J-turn) and Pugachev's Cobra. The flight control system and full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) make the aircraft highly departure resistant and controllable, thus giving the pilot carefree handling.
Stealth
The F-22 was designed to be highly difficult to detect and track by radar. Measures to reduce radar cross-section (RCS) include airframe shaping such as alignment of edges, fixed-geometry serpentine inlets and curved vanes that prevent line-of-sight of the engine faces and turbines from any exterior view, use of radar-absorbent material (RAM), and attention to detail such as hinges and pilot helmets that could provide a radar return. The F-22 was also designed to have decreased radio emissions, infrared signature and acoustic signature as well as reduced visibility to the naked eye. The aircraft's flat thrust-vectoring nozzles reduce infrared emissions of the exhaust plume to mitigate the threat of infrared homing ("heat seeking") surface-to-air or air-to-air missiles. Additional measures to reduce the infrared signature include special topcoat and active cooling of leading edges to manage the heat buildup from supersonic flight.
Compared to previous stealth designs like the F-117, the F-22 is less reliant on RAM, which are maintenance-intensive and susceptible to adverse weather conditions. Unlike the B-2, which requires climate-controlled hangars, the F-22 can undergo repairs on the flight line or in a normal hangar. The F-22 has a Signature Assessment System which delivers warnings when the radar signature is degraded and necessitates repair. While the F-22's exact RCS is classified, in 2009 Lockheed Martin released information indicating that from certain angles the aircraft has an RCS of 0.0001 m² or −40 dBsm – equivalent to the radar reflection of a "steel marble". Effectively maintaining the stealth features can decrease the F-22's mission capable rate to 62–70%.
The effectiveness of the stealth characteristics is difficult to gauge. The RCS value is a restrictive measurement of the aircraft's frontal or side area from the perspective of a static radar. When an aircraft maneuvers it exposes a completely different set of angles and surface area, potentially increasing radar observability. Furthermore, the F-22's stealth contouring and radar absorbent materials are chiefly effective against high-frequency radars, usually found on other aircraft. The effects of Rayleigh scattering and resonance mean that low-frequency radars such as weather radars and early-warning radars are more likely to detect the F-22 due to its physical size. However, such radars are also conspicuous, susceptible to clutter, and have low precision. Additionally, while faint or fleeting radar contacts make defenders aware that a stealth aircraft is present, reliably vectoring interception to attack the aircraft is much more challenging. According to the USAF an F-22 surprised an Iranian F-4 "Phantom II" that was attempting to intercept an American UAV, despite Iran's assertion of having military VHF radar coverage over the Persian Gulf.