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First flight was on September 7th, 1997
The F-22 Raptor is one of the most secretive planes in existence. The military doesn’t want you to know much about this stealth monster, but that’s why we are here today. Here are 30 facts about the iconic aircraft that will blow you off the tarmac!
Aerospace Web
On Sunday September 7, 1997, the F-22 EMD aircraft took it’s long anticipated first flight. The idea for the F-22 had taken root some 15 years prior to that initial trip, when it became evident that the US Air Force needed to fill the gap to replace the F-15. Prototypes, YF-22 and YF-23 were flown in 1990, and the road to 1997 was set.
Throughout the 90’s, the plane was assembled piece by piece. Fabrication for the first part of the flyable F-22 started in 1993.
Lockheed was prime but Boeing was clutch
Lockheed Martin was the prime contractor, in charge of most of the fuselage, weapons units, and final product assembly. While they are rightfully credited for their development work on the F-22, Boeing was also instrumental in the final product.
Wings, aft fuselage, avionics integration, and training systems were all contributions from Boeing. Despite the many positives brought about by varying producers, some argue that this likely contributed to cost hikes and delays in the final product.
Only room for one
One of the more advanced cockpits in modern military aircraft, the F-22 is as high tech as it is cramped. It includes a monochrome head-up display, as well as a keypad system for entering communications and autopilot data, but only has space for one pilot.
Only the best can operate this beast, as a pilot has no co-pilot for recourse. The trick would be to process and analyze the extensive technical data being fed through the aircraft’s instruments.
Didn't make its combat debut until 2014
NBC News
In July of that year, a U.S.-led coalition against ISIS began dropping bombs on targets within Syria and Iraq. A couple months later, the military enlisted the help of the F-22 to help ensure the safety of other aircraft involved in the air strikes.
The role of the Raptor was to escort the strike packages within the target area, as well as gathering details about the enemy systems.
How Much Does One Cost?
Best Dream Works
With an estimated $34 billion spent to procure the final product, F-22’s would cost an estimated $339 million per aircraft, with a cost of around $150 per each additional unit. The total program cost for the F-22’s is around $66 billion.
Because of the hefty price tag, there was a debate throughout the early 2000’s as to whether this was a viable program to complete. Staunch opposition came from Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, as well as Senator John McCain. Nevertheless, Congress decided to continue the F-22’s production in 2008 by way of a new spending bill.
Cost per hour
Any guesses as far as its operating cost? In 2008, the Air Force claimed that the F-22 cost $44,259 per flying hour.
But the Office of the Secretary of Defense later stated that it was $49, 808. The former fighter, F-15, had an average cost of $30,818.
Range of almost 2,000 miles
AF.mil
Needless to say, they can’t make it directly from the states to the Middle East without stopping for a gas break. But at least they can move at a clip of up to 1,500 miles per hour along the way.
Luckily KC-135s are like aerial Shell stations. During the Syrian air strikes, the F-22’s relied on these massive vessels to hand them more fuel from above.
Incidents
Hi Tech Web
Only a small handful of incidents have occurred. The first involved a YF-22 crashing at Edwards AFB during testing. Then an F-22 suffered its first accident happened during takeoff at Nellis AFB in Nevada in 2004, causing the pilot to have to eject to safety.
An engine shutdown prior to the flight caused a flight-control system malfunction, which was soon rectified via a change in aircraft design.
Designed for a lifespan of 30 years
Youtube – Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
The jet fighter was created with the intention of lasting some 30+ years and with the ability to amass 8,000 flight hours. Sound like a long time? They are merely scratching the surface.
By 2030, the goal is to have a sixth generation jet fighter ready to roll out with even a longer lifespan. The bottom line? Expect the aircraft to get faster and even more durable in the years to come.
Radar image like a bumblebee
All Pix
It’s no exaggeration that the F-22’s stealth capability makes in nearly invisible. For radar viewers, it’s image is no larger than a bumblebee.
This obviously presents a huge advantage for the F-22 pilot who has a 360 degree view of the battlefield surrounding his aircraft, while he remains virtually undetectable.
F-22 Raptor can be configured for air or ground combat
Defence Industry Daily
The weapons supplies don’t deviate a great deal from air to ground combat. Both entail multiple AIM-120C air-to-air missiles as well as Sidewinder missiles.
Once the aircraft enters its battle space, the on-board sensors begin collecting the necessary intelligence to determine where and when to unload the ammo.
Uses AESA to hound enemy aircraft
Aus Air Power
The active electronically scanned array radars aim their beam by emitting multiple radio waves. F-22’s use the technology to collect valuable data about the enemy, and can ostensibly share the picture with fellow attack planes.
This was utilized in the air strikes on ISIS following the burning alive of pilot Maaz al-Kassasbeh. He was captured on Christmas Eve of 2014.
High altitude and speed increases munition effectiveness
Avia.pro
During testing, an F-22 dropped a GBU-32 JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) from 50,000 feet while cruising at Mach 1.5. It was able to strike a moving target 24 miles away.
Despite the F-22 usually carrying weapons internally, its wings include four hardpoints which can each handle 5,000 lbs.
Amazing kill ratios against F-15s
The Aviationist
In 2006, the Raptor had proven extremely effective against the outdated F-15s. During training sessions, it maintained a kill ratio of 108:0. This is exponentially more impressive than that of the F-15 against the F-5 during the 1970’s and 1980’s.
A combination of vectored thrust, range, and stealth capability places it within a class of its own when it comes to the world’s strongest combat aircraft.
The only operational aircraft able to super-cruise while carrying a full load of weapons
Wikimedia
The ability to cruise at supersonic speeds while being fully loaded with weapons is a privilege not a right, but the F-22 fits the bill perfectly.
While supercruising, it doesn’t need the use of fuel-inefficient afterburners, and it can easily intercept targets which subsonic aircraft would not be able to pursue. The F-22 contains amounts of high strength materials enabling it to withstand stress.
F-119 engines allow supermaneuverability
Link
Thrust vectoring allows tighter and more sustainable turns at high-g forces. It allows the aircraft to perform stall maneuvers that don’t literally stall the plane.
Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA was inspired by it
Business Insider
Other nations were inspired by the fifth generation fighter, including China and Russia. But between the Chengdu-20 and the Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA, the latter was the most serious competition.
Despite the demise of the Soviet Union, Russia was able to maintain a defense industrial base to some extent. The PAK-FA is undoubtedly the Russian answer to the Raptor.
This supermaneuverability, combined with an exquisite radar system, enables the F-22 to close in quickly on the bad guys.
The F-22 Raptor is one of the most secretive planes in existence. The military doesn’t want you to know much about this stealth monster, but that’s why we are here today. Here are 30 facts about the iconic aircraft that will blow you off the tarmac!
Aerospace Web
On Sunday September 7, 1997, the F-22 EMD aircraft took it’s long anticipated first flight. The idea for the F-22 had taken root some 15 years prior to that initial trip, when it became evident that the US Air Force needed to fill the gap to replace the F-15. Prototypes, YF-22 and YF-23 were flown in 1990, and the road to 1997 was set.
Throughout the 90’s, the plane was assembled piece by piece. Fabrication for the first part of the flyable F-22 started in 1993.
Lockheed was prime but Boeing was clutch
Lockheed Martin was the prime contractor, in charge of most of the fuselage, weapons units, and final product assembly. While they are rightfully credited for their development work on the F-22, Boeing was also instrumental in the final product.
Wings, aft fuselage, avionics integration, and training systems were all contributions from Boeing. Despite the many positives brought about by varying producers, some argue that this likely contributed to cost hikes and delays in the final product.
Only room for one
One of the more advanced cockpits in modern military aircraft, the F-22 is as high tech as it is cramped. It includes a monochrome head-up display, as well as a keypad system for entering communications and autopilot data, but only has space for one pilot.
Only the best can operate this beast, as a pilot has no co-pilot for recourse. The trick would be to process and analyze the extensive technical data being fed through the aircraft’s instruments.
Didn't make its combat debut until 2014
NBC News
In July of that year, a U.S.-led coalition against ISIS began dropping bombs on targets within Syria and Iraq. A couple months later, the military enlisted the help of the F-22 to help ensure the safety of other aircraft involved in the air strikes.
The role of the Raptor was to escort the strike packages within the target area, as well as gathering details about the enemy systems.
How Much Does One Cost?
Best Dream Works
With an estimated $34 billion spent to procure the final product, F-22’s would cost an estimated $339 million per aircraft, with a cost of around $150 per each additional unit. The total program cost for the F-22’s is around $66 billion.
Because of the hefty price tag, there was a debate throughout the early 2000’s as to whether this was a viable program to complete. Staunch opposition came from Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, as well as Senator John McCain. Nevertheless, Congress decided to continue the F-22’s production in 2008 by way of a new spending bill.
Cost per hour
Any guesses as far as its operating cost? In 2008, the Air Force claimed that the F-22 cost $44,259 per flying hour.
But the Office of the Secretary of Defense later stated that it was $49, 808. The former fighter, F-15, had an average cost of $30,818.
Range of almost 2,000 miles
AF.mil
Needless to say, they can’t make it directly from the states to the Middle East without stopping for a gas break. But at least they can move at a clip of up to 1,500 miles per hour along the way.
Luckily KC-135s are like aerial Shell stations. During the Syrian air strikes, the F-22’s relied on these massive vessels to hand them more fuel from above.
Incidents
Hi Tech Web
Only a small handful of incidents have occurred. The first involved a YF-22 crashing at Edwards AFB during testing. Then an F-22 suffered its first accident happened during takeoff at Nellis AFB in Nevada in 2004, causing the pilot to have to eject to safety.
An engine shutdown prior to the flight caused a flight-control system malfunction, which was soon rectified via a change in aircraft design.
Designed for a lifespan of 30 years
Youtube – Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
The jet fighter was created with the intention of lasting some 30+ years and with the ability to amass 8,000 flight hours. Sound like a long time? They are merely scratching the surface.
By 2030, the goal is to have a sixth generation jet fighter ready to roll out with even a longer lifespan. The bottom line? Expect the aircraft to get faster and even more durable in the years to come.
Radar image like a bumblebee
All Pix
It’s no exaggeration that the F-22’s stealth capability makes in nearly invisible. For radar viewers, it’s image is no larger than a bumblebee.
This obviously presents a huge advantage for the F-22 pilot who has a 360 degree view of the battlefield surrounding his aircraft, while he remains virtually undetectable.
F-22 Raptor can be configured for air or ground combat
Defence Industry Daily
The weapons supplies don’t deviate a great deal from air to ground combat. Both entail multiple AIM-120C air-to-air missiles as well as Sidewinder missiles.
Once the aircraft enters its battle space, the on-board sensors begin collecting the necessary intelligence to determine where and when to unload the ammo.
Uses AESA to hound enemy aircraft
Aus Air Power
The active electronically scanned array radars aim their beam by emitting multiple radio waves. F-22’s use the technology to collect valuable data about the enemy, and can ostensibly share the picture with fellow attack planes.
This was utilized in the air strikes on ISIS following the burning alive of pilot Maaz al-Kassasbeh. He was captured on Christmas Eve of 2014.
High altitude and speed increases munition effectiveness
Avia.pro
During testing, an F-22 dropped a GBU-32 JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) from 50,000 feet while cruising at Mach 1.5. It was able to strike a moving target 24 miles away.
Despite the F-22 usually carrying weapons internally, its wings include four hardpoints which can each handle 5,000 lbs.
Amazing kill ratios against F-15s
The Aviationist
In 2006, the Raptor had proven extremely effective against the outdated F-15s. During training sessions, it maintained a kill ratio of 108:0. This is exponentially more impressive than that of the F-15 against the F-5 during the 1970’s and 1980’s.
A combination of vectored thrust, range, and stealth capability places it within a class of its own when it comes to the world’s strongest combat aircraft.
The only operational aircraft able to super-cruise while carrying a full load of weapons
Wikimedia
The ability to cruise at supersonic speeds while being fully loaded with weapons is a privilege not a right, but the F-22 fits the bill perfectly.
While supercruising, it doesn’t need the use of fuel-inefficient afterburners, and it can easily intercept targets which subsonic aircraft would not be able to pursue. The F-22 contains amounts of high strength materials enabling it to withstand stress.
F-119 engines allow supermaneuverability
Link
Thrust vectoring allows tighter and more sustainable turns at high-g forces. It allows the aircraft to perform stall maneuvers that don’t literally stall the plane.
Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA was inspired by it
Business Insider
Other nations were inspired by the fifth generation fighter, including China and Russia. But between the Chengdu-20 and the Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA, the latter was the most serious competition.
Despite the demise of the Soviet Union, Russia was able to maintain a defense industrial base to some extent. The PAK-FA is undoubtedly the Russian answer to the Raptor.
This supermaneuverability, combined with an exquisite radar system, enables the F-22 to close in quickly on the bad guys.
