Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor

Summary

Description

The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation, single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather stealth tactical fighter aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin for the United States Air Force. The origins of the F-22 can be traced back to the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program, which began in 1981. The program aimed to develop a new air superiority fighter to replace the F-15 and F-16, capable of countering emerging threats from the Soviet Union's new generation of fighters and bombers.

The ATF program initially had several contenders, but it eventually boiled down to the prototypes YF-22 by Lockheed Martin and YF-23 by Northrop Grumman. After an extensive series of evaluations and flight tests, the YF-22 was declared the winner in 1991. Lockheed Martin partnered with Boeing and General Dynamics for the development and production of the aircraft.

The F-22 was designed with advanced capabilities in mind, such as stealth technology, supercruise (sustained supersonic flight without the need for afterburners), and advanced avionics. The aim was to produce a fighter that had unmatched capabilities in air-to-air combat and could also carry out ground attacks and intelligence missions. The F-22 was introduced in 2005 and has since been considered one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world. However, due to its high costs and other strategic considerations, the production of the F-22 was capped at 187 operational aircraft in 2009.

The development and design of the F-22 Raptor were monumental tasks, requiring advancements in various domains like stealth technology, avionics, and materials science. Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor, worked closely with Boeing, which was responsible for the wings, avionics integration, and training systems, among other aspects.

One of the standout features of the F-22 is its stealth capabilities. The aircraft's shape was meticulously designed to deflect radar signals, making it extremely difficult to detect. The use of radar-absorbent materials further enhanced its stealth profile. Advanced computational methods were employed to optimize the design for minimal radar cross-section.

Another groundbreaking feature is the F-22's ability to supercruise, or fly at sustained speeds greater than Mach 1 without the need for afterburners. This capability gives the F-22 a significant advantage in terms of range and speed over adversaries and also makes it more fuel-efficient during combat operations. The aircraft's two Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan engines are pivotal in enabling this capability.

Avionics are another area where the F-22 pushes the envelope. The aircraft is equipped with highly sophisticated electronics that allow for a greater level of situational awareness than earlier-generation fighters. Its radar system, the AN/APG-77, allows for long-range target detection and tracking and is resistant to jamming. The cockpit is a single-seat, glass cockpit with voice-command capability, designed for greater ease of control and reduced pilot workload.

The F-22 also incorporates advanced materials to improve performance and reduce weight. Titanium alloys and composites are extensively used in the aircraft's structure, offering an optimal balance between strength and lightness.

The program faced multiple delays and cost overruns. Originally intended to supplement and then replace the existing F-15 and F-16 fleets, the high cost of each F-22 — about $377 million per aircraft when accounting for research, development, and production — led to it being limited in numbers. The program was also criticized for being too focused on air-to-air combat scenarios that became less likely after the end of the Cold War.

Armament

The F-22 Raptor is heavily armed and designed for versatility in multiple combat roles. It has a multi-mission avionics system that includes a highly advanced radar, sensors, and communication systems, allowing it to handle a wide array of weapons.

For air-to-air combat, the F-22 carries a combination of weapons. Its primary weapon is the M61A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon, located in the right wing root, with a magazine capacity of around 480 rounds. The cannon is internally mounted to preserve the aircraft's stealth profile.

Beyond the cannon, the F-22 is equipped to carry advanced air-to-air missiles. The aircraft has three internal weapons bays to maintain its stealth profile: the main bay can carry six AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles) or a mix of AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range missiles. Two smaller bays on the side of the fuselage can each carry one Sidewinder missile.

For air-to-ground missions, the F-22 can be armed with precision-guided munitions. It can carry two 1,000-pound GBU-32 JDAMs (Joint Direct Attack Munitions) or eight 250-pound GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs) in its main internal bay. These options make it capable of attacking ground targets with high accuracy, while still maintaining a low radar profile due to the internal storage of weapons.

The aircraft also has four underwing hardpoints, which are generally used for external fuel tanks to extend its range. However, these hardpoints can also carry additional weapons, albeit at the expense of the jet's stealth capabilities.

Operational history

The F-22 Raptor was officially introduced into the United States Air Force in 2005, but it took a few more years for the aircraft to be declared fully operational, achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in December 2005 and Full Operational Capability in 2007. Despite its advanced capabilities, the F-22's operational history has been somewhat limited, mainly due to its high costs and the evolving nature of global warfare which has seen less emphasis on air-to-air combat scenarios for which the F-22 was initially envisioned.

One of the first major deployments of the F-22 was to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, in 2007, as a part of the U.S. Pacific Command. This served as a strong signal to both allies and potential adversaries of the U.S.'s advanced air capabilities in the region.

In 2014, F-22s were deployed to Europe for the first time as part of the European Reassurance Initiative, aimed at bolstering the U.S. presence in Europe following Russia's annexation of Crimea. They have also participated in various NATO exercises.

In terms of combat, the F-22 saw its first action relatively late, in 2014, during Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The aircraft conducted airstrikes and also acted in a coordinating role for other U.S. and coalition aircraft. Despite this, the F-22 hasn't been as extensively combat-tested as other U.S. military aircraft, in part because the types of conflicts the U.S. has been engaged in have not necessitated the unique capabilities of the F-22.

The F-22 fleet faced grounding multiple times due to issues related to its oxygen supply system, affecting pilot safety. These issues were largely addressed, but they did impact the aircraft's readiness rates for some time.

Given its high operating costs and the decision to limit production to 187 operational units, the F-22 has also faced questions about its long-term role within the U.S. Air Force, especially with the development and deployment of the more versatile and less expensive F-35 Lightning II.

Variants

• F-22A: This is the primary production variant and the one most commonly referred to when discussing the F-22. It is a single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather stealth tactical fighter with multirole capabilities, including air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
• F-22B: This was a proposed two-seat version of the F-22, intended for training and other specialized missions. However, the F-22B was never produced. The Air Force opted to focus solely on the single-seat F-22A variant to streamline production and reduce costs.
• FB-22: This was a conceptual bomber variant of the F-22, aimed at providing a stealthy platform capable of carrying a larger payload over greater distances compared to the F-22A. The FB-22 would have had a stretched fuselage and greater wing area. However, the concept was ultimately shelved in favor of developing the next-generation bomber, which eventually became the B-21 Raider.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	United States	177

Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.

All operators

United States

Armament

Missiles payload:

• Air-to-Air Medium-Range AIM-120 AMRAAM
• Air-to-Air Short-Range Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder

Bombs payload:

• Guided Boeing GBU-31/B JDAM
• Guided Boeing GBU-39/B SDB
• Thermonuclear Livermore B83

Photo of F-22 Raptor

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