Time Period: Post-WW2
Country of Origin: United States
Type: Fighter Aircraft, Air Superiority Aircraft
Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin, Boeing Defense, Space & Security
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor Aircraft Overview
The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation, twin-engine, single-seat tactical fighter aircraft designed for the United States Air Force (USAF). It was developed by Lockheed Martin and Boeing, and first entered service in 2005.
The F-22 is designed to perform air superiority missions, with the ability to detect and engage multiple air and ground targets at long ranges. It is equipped with advanced avionics and weapons systems, and is capable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. The aircraft’s stealth capabilities allow it to operate in highly contested airspace without being detected by radar.
The F-22 is also capable of supersonic cruise without afterburners, allowing it to travel long distances at high speeds. It has a maximum speed of Mach 2.25 (1,500 mph or 2,410 km/h) and a range of over 1,800 nautical miles (3,300 km) without refueling.
The F-22 has been used in combat in the Middle East, including in Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS. As of 2021, there are 186 F-22s in service with the USAF.
Lockheed Martin F-22A Specifications
- Crew: 1
- Length: 62 ft 1 in (18.92 m)
- Wingspan: 44 ft 6 in (13.56 m)
- Height: 16 ft 8 in (5.08 m)
- Wing area: 840 sq ft (78.04 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 2.36
- Airfoil: NACA 6 series airfoil
- Empty weight: 43,340 lb (19,700 kg)
- Gross weight: 64,840 lb (29,410 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 83,500 lb (38,000 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 18,000 lb (8,200 kg) internally, or 26,000 lb (12,000 kg) with two 2× 600 US gal tanks
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 augmented turbofans, 26,000 lbf (116 kN) thrust each dry, 35,000 lbf (156 kN) with afterburner.
Lockheed Martin F-22A Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.25, 1,500 mph (2,414 km/h) at altitude
- Mach 1.21, 800 knots (921 mph; 1,482 km/h) at sea level
- Mach 1.82, 1,220 mph (1,963 km/h) supercruise at altitude
- Range: 1,600 nmi (1,800 mi, 3,000 km) or more with 2 external fuel tanks
- Combat range: 460 nmi (530 mi, 850 km) clean with 100 nmi (115 mi, 185 km) in supercruise. 590 nmi (679 mi, 1,093 km) clean subsonic
- Ferry range: 1,740 nmi (2,000 mi, 3,220 km)
- Service ceiling: 65,000 ft (20,000 m)
- g limits: +9.0/−3.0
- Wing loading: 77.2 lb/sq ft (377 kg/m2)
- Thrust/weight: 1.08 (1.25 with loaded weight and 50% internal fuel)
Lockheed Martin F-22A Armament
- Guns: 1× 20 mm M61A2 Vulcan rotary cannon, 480 rounds
- Internal weapons bays:
- Air-to-air mission loadout:
- 6× AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or 4× AIM-120A/B AMRAAM or 6× AIM-260 JATM
- 2× AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
- Air-to-ground mission loadout:
- 2× 1,000 lb (450 kg) JDAM or 8× 250 lb (110 kg) GBU-39 SDB
- 2× AIM-120 AMRAAM
- 2× AIM-9 Sidewinder
- Air-to-air mission loadout:
- Hardpoint (external):
- 4× under-wing pylon stations can be fitted to carry weapons, each with a capacity of 5,000 lb (2,270 kg) or 600 U.S. gallon (2,270 L) drop tanks
- 4x AIM-120 AMRAAM (external)
