F-22 Raptor
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The F-22 Raptor advanced tactical fighter aircraft is being developed for service with the US Air Force from the year 2005. The USAF requirement is for a fighter to replace the F-15.
The F-22 won the Air Force's Advanced Tactical Fighter contest over the Northrop YF-23 in April 1991.
Two prototypes of both the YF-22 and YF-23 were constructed, one example of each aircraft being powered by Pratt & Whitney F119 turbofans and the other by the General Electric F120 turbofans allowing the Air Force to select the best airframe/propulsion arrangement.
The second YF-22 prototype, fitted with the Pratt & Whitney engines, demonstrated the ability to cruise at Mach 1.58 without afterburner and Mach 1.7 with afterburner.
This combination was deemed the most desirable and both Lockheed and Pratt & Whitney were issued contracts to proceed with production.
The first F-22 fighter aircraft was unveiled in April 1997 and was given the name Raptor.
Specifications
| Type: | Air dominance, multi-role fighter |
Manufacturer: | Lockheed |
Country: | USA |
Powerplant: | Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan engine with afterburners and two-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles (2x) | Engine Thrust: | 35,000+ lbs (each engine) | Length: | 62.1 ft || 18.9 m | Height: | 16.8 ft || 5.1 m | Wingspan: | 44.6 ft || 13.6 m | Weight: | 40,000+ lbs || approximately 18,000 kilograms | Max. Speed: | Mach 2+ | Range: | n/a | Ceiling: | Above 50,000 feet (approximately 15 kilometers) | Crew: | 1 Pilot | costs: | n/a |
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