Lockheed Martin / Boeing F-22 Raptor

The F-22 Raptor series of aircraft reportedly represents the most advanced aircraft design in the world to date. The system utilizes technology, design and experience to field a system that is designed to be the most potent flying machine ever devised and is part of the new group of "next generation" aircraft currently being fielded by various nations.

The F-22 series is the product of a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin for the next frontline United States Air Force fighter. The platform went head-to-head with the Northrop offering of the equally-unique YF-23 Black Widow II air superiority fighter. The YF-22, and its corresponding newly-designed turbofan engines, were selected for further development and ultimate production.

The F-22 series features a host of advanced technologies incorporated both outside and in the fuselage and cockpit. The advanced F119-100 turbofans allow the aircraft to operate at supersonic speeds without the need for afterburning (or "reheat"), which is basically extra fuel pumped into the exhaust to produce more power and, in effect, more thrust. This optimal flight capability is now termed as "supercruise" and represents the next evolution in powerplant design.

The F-22 powerplants are coupled with the unique shape of the aircraft as a whole. No doubt building upon the shape lessons learned in the development of the prized F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter, the F-22 features almost identical shaping including sharp angles and irregularly-shaped wing, rudder and elevator assemblies. The system is also covered with highly secret coatings and the entire aircraft is constructed with composite materials. The design was further enhanced through the use of computer aided-technology during the initial stages of development as well.

The single-seat, twin-engine fighter features an internal 20mm cannon as standard. This armament is further complimented by the internal weapons bays that allow for increased stealth-like capabilities - two side internal and one ventral weapons bays are features. Side bays can carry the smaller AIM-9 Sidewinder series of air-to-air missiles whilst the ventral bays have room for up to four more AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range missiles. Additional stores can be mounted on external hardpoints if desired.

The aircraft achieves a new level of nimbleness through the thrust-vectoring outlets covering the engine exhaust. This feature allows the aircraft to achieve "on the time" turning to a certain extent and makes for a very potent adversary in a dogfight against conventional aircraft. These thrust-vectoring nozzles also help to dissipate the amount of heat resonating from the powerplants, further enhancing the stealth capabilities of the fighter.

In one controlled test, two F-22 Raptors were pitted against four F-15 Eagles. At the end of the test, all F-15 Eagles were tracked and targeted without ever seeing the two F-22 Raptors. Eagle pilots reported not even seeing the Raptor systems appear on their radars to even acknowledge their presence in the skies - a testament to the next generation capabilities of these stealth-based aircraft.

In the end, the F-22 Raptor is slated to become the next top of the line American frontline fighter. Squadrons of the platform were already forming in 2005 and the USAF plans to field a total of 340 systems worldwide. With the development of the multirole F-35 Lightning II (developed from the Joint Strike Fighter initiative), the Raptor and Lightning II will pose a terrific one-two punch for the United States military.

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Last Revision: 5/1/2009