F-22 RAPTOR

HISTORY

The F/A-22 is destined to replace the F-15 and become the next-generation fighter of the USAF. Together with the competing F-23 it is one of the first fighter designs optimized for stealth. In addition, it was designed to ”supercruise”, i.e. fly at supersonic speeds without afterburner. The F/A-22 has a relatively conventional appearance, with twin tails and flat fuselage sides. The engines have two-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles. To conserve a low radar cross-section, the armament is carried in internal weapons bays.

The Lockheed F/A-22 Raptor, to be in service the United States Air Force, is undoubtedly the most advanced of all the fighter aircraft in development today. This aircraft is a true air dominance fighter and uses highly advanced technology to insure air superiority. The F-22 will provide first look/first shot/first kill ability in all environments. The F-22’s sophisticated sensor suite, cockpit design, and avionics that improve the pilot’s situational awareness all make up the supercomputing power of the F-22. The F-22’s engines allow the aircraft to ”supercruise” to a high threat environment, thus greatly increasing the F-22’s speed and range over other fighters. The F-22 will make use of its high thrust to weight ratio and thrust vectoring engines to outmaneuver all current and projected fighters.

The F-22 uses the most advanced stealth technologies involving a very stealthy airframe, internal carriage of weapons, RAM, reduced IR signature, and much more to extremely diminish the enemy’s ability to see the aircraft on radar or lock onto the aircraft with IR guided missiles. The F-22 also possesses a secondary air to surface role. In addition to the two 2000 lb. GPS guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions carried internally, the F-22 can be modified with under wing pylons to carry air to ground munitions once air superiority has been established. The F-22 will enter service in 2005.

COCKPIT

Internally, the cockpit of the F-22 is a first-rate, all-glass digital affair dominated by four large color customizable multi-function liquid crystal displays. These are fitted as three across a top row and a fourth mounted under center between the pilot's knees. Pertinent mission information and onboard systems are displayed across these color screens and work in conjunction with a wide-area HUD (Heads-Up Display) that allows the pilot to keep his eyes on the action ahead. There is no center flight stick as in previous fighter aircraft but instead a left-hand throttle column and a right-hand control stick, each featuring multi-functional switches for HOTAS (Hands-On Throttle and Stick) functionality, again, keeping the pilot's eyes and attention on the mission at hand. The pilot is further assisted by a three-tier redundant digital fly-by-wire control system that makes such an unorthodox airframe as the F-22 design controllable and a pleasure to fly.

 The highly-integrated cockpit system allows for a high level of pilot situational awareness that makes for a truly potent mount, combining the workload of two airmen into one. The F-22 is fitted with the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-77 active element, electronically-scanned array radar system and an integrated Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) of near-290 mile range. The radar can acquire the most potent threat to the aircraft and engage within 135 miles providing for a "first-shot, first-kill" approach - this without the enemy not even spotted the F-22. In turn, the radar system offers up a low passive detection signature true to the F-22s stealthy nature. Infrared homing missile threats are countered by the use of the Chemring Group MJU-39/40 flare countermeasures suite. Interestingly, the early avionics system of the YF-22 was, in fact, tested within the cockpit of a modified Boeing 757.

ARMAMENT

For its primary air-to-air role, the F-22 carries six AIM-120C and two AIM-9 missiles. For its air-to-ground role, the F-22 can internally carry two 1,000 pound-class Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), two AIM-120C, and two AIM-9 missiles. With the Global Positioning System-guided JDAM, the F-22 had an adverse weather capability to supplement the F-117 (and later the Joint Strike Fighter) for air-to-ground missions after achieving air dominance.

The F-22 carries its primary armament, the AIM-120C Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) internally on the EDO Corp.-built LAU-142/A pneudraulic (pneumatic and hydraulic) launcher, called the AMRAAM Vertical Eject Launcher (AVEL). Six launchers mounted in the main weapon bays carry and launch the AMRAAMs. The AVEL is very stiff in order to control missile movement in the weapons bay and supply the proper ejection forces on the missile. The AVEL, which is made mostly of aluminum, has a nine-inch stroke, and ejects the missile out of the bay at more than 25 feet per second, with a force of 40Gs. The long stroke and high velocity are required to safely separate the missile from the aircraft in all combat conditions.

F-22 RAPTOR RADAR

The radar system gives the F/A-22 first-look, first-shot, first-kill capability. That means it can see an enemy plane first, fire a missile and destroy the target without the other pilot ever knowing about it.

The AN/APG-77 radar was developed specifically for the F/A-22. It uses an active, electronically scanned antenna array of 2,000 transmitter/receiver modules. The radar provides pilots with detailed information about multiple threats before the adversary's radar ever detects the F/A-22.

F-22 RAPTOR PERFORMANCE

The F-22 is leading U.S. Air Force transformation efforts. Its ability to penetrate anti-access airspace, while finding, tracking and targeting enemy air and ground-based threats will ensure freedom to maneuver and freedom from attack for all joint forces.

The Raptor's unique combination of advanced stealth, supercruise, advanced maneuverability and integrated avionics will allow it to “kick down the door,” and then follow up with 24-hour stealth operations and freedom of movement for all follow-on forces – fully leveraging the Raptor’s technological advantages.

Two F119 engines, the world’s most advanced combat aircraft engines, power the F-22. These engines, with their unique thrust-vectoring nozzle and integrated stealth characteristics, give the F-22 the capability to supercruise, or achieve Mach 1.5+ speeds, without the use of afterburners.

The F-22’s all-aspect stealth and high speed/high altitude capability gives U.S. forces and allies an advantage that will endure well into the future. By incorporating revolutionary advances in technology, the F-22 is ready to dominate any and all adversaries from the outset of any conflict. This capability provides a critical edge to joint force commanders and acts as an effective deterrent to future adversaries.

The F-22 is an entirely new way of thinking about fighter capabilities. This 5th generation fighter represents a leap in warfighting capabilities for the U.S. Air Force and coalition forces.

• Advanced stealth – enables 24/7 operations while remaining virtually undetected by enemy forces
• Supercruise speeds greater than Mach 1.5 without afterburners – enhance survivability/lethality
• Extreme fighter agility – allows outmaneuvering through acceleration and razor-sharp turns
• Information fusion – generates 360-degree battlespace awareness for pilot
• Joint force enabler – assures future air dominance for joint and coalition forces 
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GENERAL SPECIFICATION

Type: F/A-22 A/C Raptor
Dimensions:
Wing span: 13.56 m
Length overall: 18.92 m
Height overall: 5.05 m
Wing area: 78 m2
Propulsion:
Powerplant: 2 Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 augmented turbofans
Bypas ration: 0.2:1
Intermediate power: 116 kN
Augmented power: 173 kN
Weights:
Operational empty: 14,375 kg
Internal fuel: 11,400 kg
Clean take-off: 27,200 kg
Max take-off: 36,300 kg
Performance:
Maximum speed: Mach 1.9
Supercruise speed: Mach 1.6
Combat Radius: 1400 km