IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE FIRST CITIZEN HEROES OF 9.11.2001
Selected U.S. Air Force aircraft began displaying this distinctive nose art design in 2002. The design was created by Senior Airman Duane White at Air Combat Command and features the words "LET'S ROLL!", said by Todd Beamer as he and other passengers moved to fight for control of United Airlines flight 93 before it crashed on September 11. The USAF THUNDERBIRDS and other demonstration teams have the nose art applied to all their aircraft. Major command and wings are allowed to use the design on one aircraft.
HISTORY HAS PROVEN THE NEED FOR AIR DOMINANCE
The unprecedented success of the F-15 EAGLE has
demonstrated the performance standard required for air dominance
since becoming the UNITED STATES front-line fighter in the
mid' 1970's.
The F-22A RAPTOR, successor to the F-15 EAGLE, has
raised that performance standard a quantum leap. The F-22A RAPTOR has achieved initial operational capability as of December 2005 and is now combat ready. The F-22A RAPTOR, as argued by proponents, is expected to "own" any future enemy air space with it's stealth, supercruise Pratt & Whitney thrust-vectoring engines, twin supercomputer avionic synergies, including passive Inter/Intra Flight Data Link technologies.
It's to be seen if the F-22A RAPTOR will continue to retain the "right stuff", in its proclaimed front-line status of 30 years, against fifth-generation air superiority competition from the likes of Russia or China. Unlike the U.S. law banning export sales to allies such as Australia, Japan or Israel, it should be noted that Russia intends to sell its version to client countries such as Iran.
AIR DOMINANCE AND MISSION SUCCESS
Be it the Battle of Midway or Desert Storm, air
power has changed the course of history. Ironically, it was air
power that plunged the UNITED STATES into war after the
attack at Pearl Harbor and air power that turned the tide
in the Pacific at the Battle of Midway. Rapid
deployment of air superiority fighters saved many American and coalition lives and vanquished enemy forces in Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom.
POLITICS & ECONOMICS
Politics and economics has and will continue to play a key role in military
success or defeat. The mind-set, of the Charles Lindberg era, advocating America stay out of the war in Europe; not unlike Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates mind-set of recent, capping production of the F-22A program, will arguably set the stage for America's military victories or defeats during the next thirty years. Only history will tell if the last of the 187 F-22 Raptors to be built, slated for final delivery in early 2012, will be adequate in number to own any hostile air space for the next several decades.
TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE!
Where will the need for the F-22A come from in the decades
ahead? Which of the many geopolitical flash points, throughout the world, ignite with little or no advance warning? No one can say for sure. But with
the F-22A at the ready, potential hostilities can be
averted, or, as in Desert Shield, fight their way into
harm's way and own the sky, minimizing casualties. Not even an
advanced version of today's F-15 will be able to overcome
the anticipated capabilities of potential enemy land based
defenses and their advanced air forces simultaneously in the years ahead.
Many of the links provided pertain to related additional
technical and political developments regarding the F-22A
Raptor.
These links, found throughout my site, will take
you to various external web
sites.
The usability of any links cannot be assured, and
are provided "as is" for the benefit of visitors to my
site, with the intention of providing assistance in learning of
other sources of related information.
These links are provided in good faith as to their suitability
and any liabilities for criminal conduct in their usage will be
the consequences of the user.
In the event any links are found not to be in working order, I would appreciate being notified at raptor4007@hotmail.com so that I could correct the problem.
AFFILIATION & TRADEMARKS
This site is not affiliated with any UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
AGENCY or the UNITED STATES MILITARY or any
military contractor.
Trademarks are the property of the respective corporations
referenced within this site and said entities retain all rights
as afforded by UNITED STATES and INTERNATIONAL LAW.
ENJOY YOUR VISIT!
O.K..., having stated my commentary on the F-22A RAPTOR, it's your turn to have your say! Feel free to speak your mind in the comments section of
SIGN GUESTBOOK-- your thoughts are
appreciated as I hope you enjoy your visit and THANKS for
taking the time to explore my site.
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THE ONLY THING NECESSARY FOR THE TRIUMPH OF EVIL IS FOR GOOD MEN TO DO NOTHING.
Acknowledgments to all the artists, photographers and
creators of all the images, photographs, .gif .jpg .wav and midi
files found on this site.
Audio for my Homepage inspired by the 1976 musical version of the classic "The War of the Worlds" by H. G. Wells with narration by the late Richard Burton.
