The F-22 Raptor is a mean lean fighting machine developed by Lockheed Martin. The raptor is a fifth-generation fighter jet developed for the United States Air Force. The fighter jet was designed to be an advanced military weapon. The aircraft was variously designated F-22 and F/A-22 before it formally entered service in December 2005 as the F-22A. After a protracted development and despite operational issues, the USAF considers the F-22 critical to its tactical air power, and says that the aircraft is unmatched by any known or projected fighter. The Raptors combination of situational awareness, stealthy aerodynamic design and high quality performance., The aircraft is in a class of its own as an elite tactical fighter.
F22 Raptor Specs
The F22 Raptor is a Mach 2 class, single seat, dual engine all weather fighter.
- F22 Length = 62ft / 18.90m
- F22 Height 16.7 ft /5.09 m
- Wingspan 44.5 ft /13.56 m
- Maximum take-off weight = 83,500 lb /38,000 kg
- Power plant Two F119-PW-100 turbofan engines with two-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles
- Engine thrust 35,000 lb /15,876 kg
The result of the USAF’s Advanced Tactical Fighter 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 F22’s air frame and weapons systems and did its final assembly, while Boeing provided the wings, aft fuselage, avionics integration, and training systems. See the above video to see the F22 in action