Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor

Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor: The Pinnacle of Air Superiority

The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, often hailed as the epitome of air superiority, is a remarkable fifth-generation fighter aircraft that has earned its place in the annals of aviation history. With its unparalleled capabilities, the F-22 Raptor has become an icon of American military technology and power. In this article, we will delve into the history, test flights, versions, upgrades, specifications, and notable incidents associated with the F-22 Raptor.

History

The origins of the F-22 Raptor can be traced back to the 1980s when the United States Air Force (USAF) initiated the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program. The primary goal was to develop a next-generation fighter aircraft to replace the aging F-15 Eagle. Lockheed Martin, along with Boeing, was selected as a contender for this ambitious project. Ultimately, Lockheed Martin’s design, known as the YF-22, won the competition in 1991.

Test Flights and Operation

The YF-22 underwent rigorous testing, leading to its first flight on September 29, 1990. Following successful trials, the YF-22 was designated as the F-22A Raptor, and production began. The F-22 Raptor entered operational service with the USAF in December 2005.

One of the defining features of the F-22 Raptor is its stealth capability, which allows it to operate undetected in hostile airspace. Its advanced avionics and sensor systems provide the pilot with unmatched situational awareness, making it a formidable adversary in air-to-air combat.

F-22 Versions and Upgrades

Over the years, the F-22 Raptor has seen several versions and upgrades to enhance its performance and maintain its competitive edge. These improvements have included enhanced radar systems, improved avionics, and software updates. The F-22 has also been considered for potential export to allied nations, although the U.S. Congress has imposed restrictions on foreign sales.

Radar Coverage and Detection/Tracking

The F-22 Raptor is equipped with the AN/APG-77 radar, which is a highly advanced and classified system. While specific details are not publicly disclosed due to security reasons, it provides the F-22 with exceptional situational awareness, long-range detection, and tracking capabilities. The AN/APG-77 radar offers excellent target discrimination, resistance to electronic countermeasures, and the ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously. Its capabilities are crucial for the F-22’s air superiority mission, allowing it to dominate the airspace by detecting, tracking, and engaging both air and ground targets with unmatched precision.

These performance characteristics and advanced radar capabilities make the F-22 Raptor one of the most formidable fighter aircraft in the world, capable of executing a wide range of missions with exceptional speed, agility, and situational awareness.

List of F-22 Crashes

While the F-22 Raptor is celebrated for its exceptional safety record, like any complex aircraft, it has experienced a few accidents over the years. Here is a list of notable F-22 crashes, along with their dates, crash locations, and causes:

April 1992 YF-22 crash at Edwards AFB
April 2002 F-22 Raptor Engine issue
September 2004 raptor Airframe overstressed
December 2004 F-22 crash at Nellis AFB
December 2004 F-22 crash at Nellis AFB
March 2009 F-22 crashed northeast of Edwards AFB
November 2010 F-22 from Elmendorf Air Force Base crashed
November 2012 F-22 crashed to the east of Tyndall AFB
April 2018,F-22 Raptor engine failure at Tyndall Air Force Base.
April 2018 Engine Power Loss on takeoff
at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

U.S. Air Force Bases with F-22 Squadrons

As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, the F-22 Raptor was primarily stationed at several U.S. Air Force bases. These bases included:

Joint Base Langley–Eustis, Virginia
Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico
Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida
Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, Alaska
Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii
Edwards Air Force Base, California

F-22 Specifications

Performance:

Maximum Speed: Mach 2.25 (1,500 mph)
Range: Approximately 1,600 nautical miles (with external fuel tanks)
Ceiling: Over 65,000 feet
Total Thrust: Approximately 70,000 pounds of thrust (combined from its two Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan engines).
Speed with Supercruise (Without Afterburners): The F-22 can maintain sustained supersonic speeds without the use of afterburners, typically cruising at speeds around Mach 1.8 (approximately 1,500 mph or 2,414 km/h).
Speed with Afterburners: The F-22 can achieve a top speed of approximately Mach 2.25 (around 1,500 mph or 2,414 km/h) with the use of afterburners.
Maximum Angle of Attack (AoA): The F-22 Raptor has an impressive maximum angle of attack capability, allowing it to achieve extreme angles to maintain control and perform agile maneuvers. The exact value is classified but is estimated to be greater than 60 degrees.
Maximum G-Forces (Gs): The F-22 can sustain high G-forces, with a maximum limit of approximately 9 Gs, which allows it to execute extreme maneuvering during air combat engagements.

Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor — An F-22 Raptor assigned to the 3rd Wing flies over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, in support of Polar Force 22-4, March 30, 2022. This is the first Polar Force to be led by the 3rd Wing, with the primary focus on developing Agile Combat Employment and the U.S. Pacific Air Forces’ ability to fight in a contested, anti-access area denial environment. Operationalizing readiness-enhancing concepts like ACE is critical to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Patrick Sullivan)

Dimensions:

According to official Lockheed Martin website, F-22 dimensions are as below.

Length : 62 ft / 18.90 m

Height : 16.67 ft / 5.08 m

Wingspan : 44.5 ft / 13.56 m

Wing Area : 840 ft2 / 78.04 m2

Horizontal Tail Span: 29 ft / 8.84 m

Engine Thrust Class: 35,000 lb / 15,876 kg

Armament:

Air-to-Air Missiles:

AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM): A radar-guided missile designed for beyond-visual-range air combat engagements.
AIM-9X Sidewinder: A heat-seeking, short-range air-to-air missile known for its agility and infrared homing capabilities.

Air-to-Ground Missiles:
- AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM): Designed to seek and destroy enemy radar installations and surface-to-air missile systems.
- AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM): A long-range, precision-guided cruise missile for striking ground targets.

Bombs:
- GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM): A GPS-guided bomb kit that converts unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions.
- GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB): A precision-guided, gliding bomb with a smaller warhead for precision strikes on various targets.

Reference:

https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104506/f-22-raptor/
https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/f22a-raptor/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-22_Raptor
https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/f-22.html
https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/f-22-weapons.htm
https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/ac/f-22.htm
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43613/incredible-images-of-stripped-down-f-22-raptor-being-rebuilt-after-belly-landing
https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2022/01/20/human-error-tech-glitches-and-tape-caused-may-2020-f-22-crash/