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Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor

Type
"Air dominance" fighter with precision attack capability (Luftüberlegenheitsjäger mit sekundärer Fähigkeit zum Einsatz von Präzisionswaffen gegen Bodenziele)

Country (Land)
USA

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems
86 South Cobb Drive
Marietta, Georgia 30063
USA

Phone: 001-770/494-2702
Fax: 001-770/494-2488

Final assembly is in Marietta, but the Tactical Aircraft Systems division of Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth (Texas) is also contributing, as well as Boeing Military Airplanes in Seattle (Washington). All have roughly a one third share in the programme.

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1

Weapons (Bewaffnung): The F-22 has four internal weapons bays (two at the bottom of the mid-fuselage, two on the intake sides) for its main armaments. Four underwing hardpoints are mainly meant for fuel tanks on ferry flights.

1 x General Electric M61A2 canon with 480 rounds linkless 20-mm-ammunition
2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder in side-bays
4 x AIM-120A AMRAAM or 6 x AIM-120C AMRAAM
2 x GBU-32 JDAM, 450 kg bomb

Power plant (Antrieb):
2 x Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofans
Thrust (Schub): 2 x 155 kN maximum with reheat (mit Nachbrenner). Very high dry thrust for supercruise.

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 18,92 m
Heigth (Höhe): 5,00 m
Span (Spannweite): 13,56 m

Weights (Massen)
Empty weight (Leermasse): around 15000 kg
Max. take-off weigth (Max. Startmasse): around 27000 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. speed (max. Fluggeschwindigkeit): Mach 2.0
Max. speed without afterburner (max. Geschwindigkeit ohne Nachbrennereinsatz): Mach 1.5
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): over 15000 m
Range (Reichweite): over (mehr als) 3000 km

Customers (Kunden)
US Air Force wanted 438 production aircraft, but in a defence review in the spring of 1997 this was reduced to 339. Nine prototypes ordered so far.

Costs (Kosten)
According to current budget figures, the current EMD (Engineering and Manufcturing Development) phase of the F-22 will cost 18,5 billion Dollars. Production will add 48,3 billion and military construction 0.1 billion. This, together with the Dem/Val in the 80s gives a total of 60.8 billion Dollars through 2013 (1996 base-year values). The flyaway cost of each Raptor is calculated at 70.9 million Dollars. Recent studies uncovered likely cost increases, but Air Force and manufacturers have pledged to implement phased rationalisation to stay within limits.

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
The F-22 is in a class of its own and should dominate even new foreign developments like Suchoi Su-35, Eurofighter EF2000 Typhoon or Dassault Rafale.

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The F-22 is the most advanced fighter of today and probably will remain so for the next 25 years. It is the result of studies started in the early 80s, followed by a competitive fly-off of demonstrators against the Northrop YF-23 in 1990.
First flight was planned for May 1997, but problems like a fuel leak, software glitches, damage to an engine during ground runs and a misbehaving APU forced numerous delays until September 7, when test pilot Paul Metz lifted off from Dobbins AFB (Marietta, GA) for a one-hour mission. Two F-16 were flying chase. The F-22 reached a height of 20000 ft and was put thrugh handling tests and engine transients. Also, the gear was retracted. Another flight a week later was cut short by loss of telemetry. After that, Lockheed will try to transport the F-22 as soon as possible to Edwards Air Force base, where further testing will be based. The second aircraft should follow in mid-1998. In total, nine prototypes will be involved in a test programme stretching to 2003 and including around 2700 flights. IOC is targeted for 2005, with production stretching to 2013. In the current budget climate, these plans are of course prone to change at any time, as previous programme restructurings have demonstrated.

Last updated October 1997

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