The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is the newest jet-fighter in the United States Air Force's arsenal. With its advanced technology the F-22A gives U.S. forces and allies an advantage that will last for years to come. Primarily an air superiority fighter, but has multiple capabilities that include ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence roles.
The United States Air Force considers the F-22 a critical component of the US strike force, and claims that the F-22 cannot be matched by any known or projected fighter aircraft. Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Chief of the Australian Defence Force, said in 2004 that the "F-22 will be the most outstanding fighter plane ever built."
Fuel capacity: 18,000 lb internally, or 26,000 lb with two external fuel tanks
Performance
Maximum speed:
At altitude: Mach 2.25 (1,500 mph)
Supercruise: Mach 1.82 (1,220 mph)
Range: 1,600 nmi (1,840 mi) with 2 external fuel tanks
Combat radius: 410 nmi (471 mi)
Service ceiling: 65,000 ft
Wing loading: 66 lb/ft²
Thrust/weight: 1.08 (1.26 with 50% fuel)
Maximum g-load: -3.0/+9.0 g
Armament
Guns: 1 × 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A2 Vulcan Gatling gun in starboard wing root, 480 rounds
Air to air loadout:
-6 × AIM-120 AMRAAM
-2 × AIM-9 Sidewinder
Air to ground loadout:
-2 × AIM-120 AMRAAM and
-2 × AIM-9 Sidewinder and one of the following:
-2 × 1,000 lb JDAM or
-2 × Wind Corrected Munitions Dispensers (WCMDs) or
-8 × 250 lb GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs
Hardpoints: 4 × under-wing pylon stations can be fitted to carry 600 US gallon Sargent Fletcher drop tanks or weapons, each with a capacity of about 5,000 lb.
Avionics
RWR (Radar warning receiver): 250 nmi or more
Radar: 125-150 miles against 11sq ft targets (estimated range)
To view more information on the F-22A Raptor, Click Here. To watch the capabilities of the F-22 please watch the video below.
