F-22 Raptor
What makes F22 a most advance fifth generation fighter aircraft?
F-22 Raptor is the world’s first fifth
generation fighter aircraft. It is jointly manufactured by the giants Lockheed
Martin Corporation and Boeing of United States. F-22 Raptor is a twin engine,
single seated, all weather and stealth air superiority aircraft. This aircraft
was manufactured for the purpose to induct in USAF. An advanced tactical
fighter aircraft program was launched by United States, in this program USA
needed an aircraft with air superiority role along with abilities of ground
attack, electronic warfare and signal intelligence. As a result F22 was
designed by Lockheed Martin Corporation. Airframe and weapon system for
aircraft was manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corporation while the wings,
fuselage, avionics and training facilities were designed by Boeing. You can
think the importance aircraft as two leading companies in field of aerospace
were engaged in manufacturing aircraft. This aircraft has many versions with name
F22, F/A 22, etc. and finally when the aircraft inducted in fleet, F22-A name
is given. But world knows it as F22 Raptor. You can take idea of sophistication
and technology used in aircraft that no aircraft is made which can challenge
this jet plane. When the plane was in its design phase Russia and China were
also engaged in designing their respective aircraft which could challenge F22
and program cost was increased many times to keep this project secret. Beside this
when next generation aircraft F35 was
entered in service, which is more advance than F35, popularity of F22 was
reduced and in 2009 it was decided to produce only 187 aircraft. Last F22
inducted in US air force in year 2012. Many people thought that F22 program was
terminated due to F35 entry. Truth behind this thought no one knows beside this
many experts believe that F22 is more advance than F35 again no one knows the
reality except users/developers. US never want to take risk for secrecy of
technology used in F22 which may be the possible reason to terminate F22
program. Blueprints and data for F22 have been destroyed as per experts to keep
secrecy. Operational cost of F22 is very high also it takes about 24-48 hours
to fly again which irritates officials. US never shared a single F22 to its
closer allies like Australia, Canada, Britain, etc. on the other hand US agreed
to manufacture F35 with Italy, Turkey, etc. This alludes us that how F22 is
more important to US than F35.
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| F-22 Raptor |
Technical Specifications:
F22 is a fifth generation, twin
engine, single seated, all weather, multirole stealth aircraft. Its length is
about 18 meters with wingspan of 13.5 meters and height about 5 meters. The aircraft
weighs 19,700 kg in unloaded condition while loaded weight 29,410 kg and
maximum take-off weight is 38000 kg. The
jet is powered with two Pratt and Whitney F119 PW 100 turbo engines which include
thrust vectoring capacity. Its dry thrust is 116 kN while after burning thrust
is 156 kN. If someone talks about its performance then its maximum speed at
high altitude is Mach 2.25 and its cruising speed is Mach 1.8, it covers the
range of 2960 km with two external fuel tanks. The combat radius for aircraft
is 852 km, its service ceiling is about 20000 meters means probability to shot
down aircraft in a dogfight is very less. The rate of climb is also
appreciable. The g-factor for the aircraft is +9g and – 3g.
Weapon System
The aircraft is equipped with 20
mm M61A2 rotator barrel cannon which can fire 480 rounds. The cannon are
mounted in the forward section of airplane. The rate of fire for cannon equipped
in aircraft is very high in comparison to others which make it to shot down
another jet easily in dogfight. The airplane is also equipped with M120 Amram air
to air missiles which a long range missile. Four hard-points are provided in
this aircraft which enhances the weapon capacity of airplane.
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