Photos of First F/A-22 Raptor

[z28luvr01]

Someone sent this to me in an email, and I have to say that this plane is hot:

Photos of The First F/A-22 Delivered to Langley AFB

These are photos of the F/A-22 (Raptor) as the first aircraft delivery was being made to Langley AFB in VA.

Langley is to be first operational AFB for the F/A-22. The Aircraft flying along with the F/A-22 in several of these photos is the F-15D, which will be replaced by the F/A-22 since testing by the USAF has verified predictions that the F/A-22 would be several times better than the F-15.

In actual in-flight (simulated combat) operations against the F-15, one F/A-22 was able to operate without detection while it went head to head against 4 F-15's and (2) F/A-22's against (8) F-15's. The F/A-22's scored missile hits (Kills) against each F-15 Aircraft and the F/A-22's were never detected by the F-15's or ground based radar.

[Flybrian]

Unfortunately, its probably the last of its breed - a pure air-superiority interceptor. A real thoroughbred in a world where the skies are filled with multirole mules. Alot of excellent aspects to this bird, the obvious one being its stealthy design. Note how unlike the F-15, there are no external hardpoints for weaponry; its AMRAAMs and Sidewinders are mounted in internal weapons bays so the skin of the fuselage is very flush, reducing its RCS, though it does have the capability to carry weapons externally. Its also one of the first to have supercruise capability, that is the ability to fly in excess of Mach 1.0 without afterburn. Very beautiful and I hope its at this year's airshow at MacDill AFB.

[aaaantoine]

Mach 1 is what, 1,000 MPH?

[SingleStylish]

1 x speed of sound = mach 1 speed of sound = 1133.9676290463692 ft/sec @ 74 degress F

[SingleStylish]

speed of sound is also equal to 774.2186666666668 mph at 74F

[SoCalCTS]

I hope the next CTS takes on a more F-22 stealthy appearance. Less sharp edges like the F117 stealth fighter and softer sexier lines like the F-22.

[Sixty8panther]

NIce Caddy tie-in SoCal. :P This this is awsome.... Amazing that they've been developing it for more than half of my lifetime. Back in 1979 when I came inot this earth the F15 was the $hit.... now it's more obsolete than my '68 Camaro. I still like the looks of the sleeker and more slender F15 but I understand that the Raptor is over all superior and the shape is very form follows function. Cool post Z28!

[Brandon Lutz]

Art & Science at its finest! :D

[Nick]

Sex on wings!

[balthazar]

My father did a LOT of work on the F/A-22 and he has 'watched over it' since he retired a few years ago. Thanks for the pics- he'll enjoy them.

[sciguy_0504]

It's awesome no doubt about it. The local air show will not be returning because the base was closed. Sad but luckily it went out with a bang this year. My all-time favorite is still the B2.

[Drew Dowdell]

How could the F-15 not detect the F/A22?!? He's flying right next to him! ..... talk about a blind spot! :P :P :P :P :P My favorite is still the B-52, one of the most dangerous planes around. They can unleash more destructive force then any manned flying object and even after 30ish years they are still in duty.

[Drew Dowdell]

oh yeah, and it should be no suprise that the B52 is one of my favorites since the '72 Eldorado is also one of my favs.

[Northstar]

The F/A-22 is simply awesome. I remember probably three years ago I got a USAF game for the computer along with a joystick. I could never figure out how to get it to supercruise, but it was still the fastest aircraft in the game and was probably my favorite weapon, at least in air-to-air combat. How many do they plan to build?

[Fijian]

:metal: :metal: :metal: :metal:

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

I wondered if the F-22 was in service yet. Cool! I read something saying that the Navy is developing a similar aircraft, except smaller and single engined.