F22 Raptor

[vass0922]

http://www.f22-raptor.com/

New place in the skys.. nice to have him on our side

Is there anything lockheed doesn't do? lol

[Warthog]

Didn't Rumsfield cut out a good portion of what would be produced?

Ultra sweet airplane...I enjoyed flying it in flight simulators

Warthog

[Target]

schwing.... schwing/schwing..... that is one impressive looking aircraft. You're a lucky man Wart, even if it was a simulator.

[U-96]

Yup, Warty, cuts have been made - If memory serves correctly the two phase introduction has now been merged so that the first planes will have basic (read fudged) AG capability from the get-go. The newF/A-22.

Previous budgets allowed for the first production batch to be a dedicated interceptor/air supremacy AA machine, the second to have a more pronounced multi-purpose AA/AG role (and to be designed explicitly for this purpose).

Obviously, this compromise will also compromise the original design of the A-A Raptor, as any substantial weapons will need to mounted externally and mess with the stealthiness.

Maybe one of our USAF posters can clarify that, I heard it second hand.

Here's some links about the name change:
http://europe.cnn.com/2002/US/South/...ing.planes.ap/
http://www.dcmilitary.com/airforce/b...s/19325-1.html

[Toadman]

The Joint Strike Fighter(JSF) has stolen some of it's thunder(and funding). But the JSF can't stealthily supercruise(remain supersonic without afterburner and resulting fuel burn). The Raptor is a sweet aircraft.

[Martoch]

Being in the USAF, I've been fortunate enough to see this baby in person...SWEEET!

Mike, you get a chance to sit in one of those? A friend of mine did and he says it's incredible cramped. Like you almost "wear" the cockpit.

Not for the claustrophobic.

[Redwolf]

My second favorite plane!

This is the only fighter plane that can hit supersonic w/out afterburners.

TIME magazine dissed it. I diss them now. See connection? ;P

[RedFury]

I don't remember where I read about it, but they have a high altitude bomber based off the F22( in the works ). It's basically the same thing, but longer, more payload, and can really get up there...much higher than our current bombers. It can literally hit it's target before ground radar could possibly pick it up, and ground based missles can't fly high enough to hit it...talk about deadly!

I'm with Redwolf. 2nd favorite next to the almighty A-10. Used to just marvel at them flying over my post in Germany. Like big gliders swooping around, but packing HEAT! Loved the sound of the engines under load too...such a sweet sounding pitch. First plane I bought in Ace Combat 4:shattered Skies. I'd fly it more often in the game, but it doesn't dogfight with SU37's very well

[Redwolf]

Red, I think you're refering to the F35 (aka Joint Strike Fighter). It's basically a supersonic crossbreed of the Harrier jet and the F22 (of course, Lookheed's makin it ).