If a pilot were given a choice of which aircraft they would get to fly, the chosen aircraft would probably be none other than the F-22. A technical marvel, aesthetic achievement and high performer, the F-22 is the only fighter in the world today that is outclassed by none but itself, and will likely remain in this position even after similar Russian and Chinese aircraft take to the skies. Pilots of the F-22 belong to an exclusive club. This expensive and delicate aircraft requires pilots with a high level of skill, and plenty of experience, as it will be the number one air superiority asset available to the Unites States government for at least the next decade.
While the F-16 and F-15 were in their early years of service, the United States government issued a request for a new, next-generation aircraft that could take over from the Eagle and the Fighting Falcon in performing the air superiority role. Despite American technology surpassing that of its rivals at the time, mainly the USSR, the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program was conceived in June of 1981. The goal was to produce a fighter which possessed none of the flaws that plagued earlier aircraft, and no expense was to be spared in producing it. The program was inevitably put on the backburner due to a lack of need for an advanced fighter in the near future, as the F-16 and F-15 were in their prime. However, 5 years later, when a contest was announced in which the winner would design and produce the ATF, Lockheed Martin, along with Boeing and the help of General Dynamics, built their competitor, the YF-22 Lightning II. The YF-22 was soon re-designated the Raptor, and flew one month after Northrop/McDonnell Douglas's design, the YF-23 Black Widow.
The YF-23 was larger than the YF-22, and much more radical in design. Lockheed-Martin/Boeing was awarded the ATF contract, although the YF-23 could arguably outperform it in many aspects. The USAF and the United States Government considered Lockheed/Boeing's ability to create efficient and well-managed fighter programs to surpass that of Northrop/McDonnell Douglas's and so the more conventional YF-22 would leave the prototype stage. The United States Government had issued a long list of requirements for the ATF, which included thrust-vectoring, super-cruising, long range, air superiority capabilities, stealth features, extremely advanced electronics and avionics, and possess a top speed of at least Mach 1.5. The YF-22 technological demonstrators possessed all of these capabilities, as did the F-22 production variant. The F-22 is sleeker, shorter, and has cleaner edges than the YF-22. In addition, the YF-22's signature two-tone gray paint scheme has been replaced by a blotchy gray-blue scheme, which helps it blend in with the sky.
Atop the airframe of the F-22A sits an all-glass bubble-type canopy affording the pilot unrestricted vision in all directions. To the fore of the cockpit, hidden in the nose, rests very powerful Westinghouse AN/APG77 radar. Operating at high power, this radar is extremely tricky to detect, and does not compromise much of its range when operating at a lower power. The Westinghouse is also boasted to be one of the most accurate radars in the world, and can detect multiple targets despite retaining stealth and range. Also, its low signature makes it difficult for a radar-guided missile to home in on it. Most of the avionics, electronics and pilot equipment in the F-22 are highly classified, but TV-screens, an HUD, and fly-by-wire systems are all present, and at the pilot's disposal. All major flight systems are controlled by a classified computer said to be extremely advanced, allowing the aircraft to perform the maneuvering feats that woo air show crowds. And thanks to an ACES II ejection seat mounted in the cockpit, the pilot is provided with a means of escape should a maneuver or engagement go wrong.
Dual Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 afterburning turbofan engines provide as much power as they do efficiency, allowing the F-22 to fulfill the super-cruise requirement of the ATF program. While these engines only allow a top speed of 2410 KmH, which while impressive is still bested by previous-generation fighters, the Raptor can maintain a speed of mach 1.5 for a long period of time without using afterburner. This gives it a combat radius of over 2500 km and the ability to out-endure all but the most advanced aircraft. Instrumental to the F-22's effective stealth features are radar-absorbing materials and 48 degree angles on most surfaces, which reflect enemy radar and allow the aircraft to remain invisible to hostile radar. Since radars operate by sending out varying-frequency radio waves which reflect off of surfaces, they cannot return to their source and give an image of a target if they are absorbed or deflected. The engines of the F-22 also have a low radar cross section and minimal heat signature, meaning that in theory a heat seeking missile could only lock on to it if fired from directly behind at a very precise angle. The engine nozzles give the aircraft vectored thrust attributes, and can be angled to a maximum of twenty degrees.
Lessons learned from F-117 Nighthawks showed that sacrificing combat capabilities for stealth leaves the pilot defenceless if he is detected. No expense was spared to ensure the F-22 could out-perform any other aircraft if it lost the advantage of stealth. However, the sheer cost per unit, which was originally estimated at 70 million a fighter, rose to a whopping 138 million dollars per airframe, bringing the total cost to staggering 150 million dollars per unit. Similarly, the amount ordered dropped from 750 to 339, and production was cancelled at 187. Costs more than anything else ensured the F-22 would never be produced in great numbers, and it will be used to supplement the thousands of F-35 which will form the brunt of America's fighter/bomber force. An FB-22 Strike Raptor variant was also proposed, which would host a large delta wing and undertake ground attack missions, but is not likely to undergo development due to cost, and a lack of immediate necessity.
There has been much speculation as to whether the F-22 will be put back into production in response to Russia and China being much farther ahead in the development of 5th generation fighters than originally assessed. However, although the United States government may still have the means to produce the F-22, the vast amount of F-35s ordered are more than capable of matching and surpassing the fighter strengths of their potential rivals. Should a crisis arise, the F-22 may find itself back on the assembly line, but for now, that is an unlikely prospect. However, different variants of the F-22 may be developed in the future due to their enormous capabilities.
Written by: Pace51