Released: Apr 11, 1997
MARIETTA, Ga. (AFNS) - The U.S. Air Force's newest fighter, the F-22 Raptor, was unveiled during a special ceremony here today.
Regarded as the most advanced tactical fighter in the world, it will replace an aging F-15C fleet. A fleet that was built after "...a third rate power (Vietnam) had administered a painful lesson about the importance of air superiority," said Gen. Richard E. Hawley, commander of Air Combat Command.
"Air superiority is not a God-given right of Americans," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman. "Somebody's got to pay attention to this. It's not a business you want to be second best in. You have to dominate. We must overcome an adversary's fighters and surface-to-air missile systems to ensure air superiority for friendly forces."
The MiG-29, Su-27, Mirage 2000, Rafael and the Eurofighter 2000 are aggressively marketed worldwide and match or surpass the F-15C in several areas. But with it's combination of reduced observables (stealth), integrated avionics, supercruise (supersonic flight without afterburner), maneuverability and payload, the Raptor will have "first-look, first-shot, first-kill" capability against any potential enemy aircraft.
Reduced observables: The F-22's stealth is acquired through a combination of shape and materials that deflect or absorb radar energy. This reduces the range at which enemy radar can detect it. The precise radar cross section of the F-22 is closely guarded.
Integrated avionics: Improved sensor capability, situational awareness and weapons provide first-kill opportunity against the threat. The F-22 possesses a sophisticated sensor suite that allows the pilot to track, identify and shoot the threat before it detects the F-22. This battle space picture includes type, location, speed and direction of enemy aircraft, type and location of surface threats, effective range of enemy radar and weapons, targeting priorities and solutions, and all relevant information about the F-22's wingman and other friendly aircraft.
Supercruise: This is the ability to cruise at supersonic speeds at military power (non-afterburner). The technology is a combination of a new engine and aerodynamic advances that allows it to cruise at supersonic speeds without using fuel-gulping afterburners, as current fighters require. The new engine with its thrust-vectoring nozzle and aerodynamics also provide superior maneuverability.
Maneuverability: The F-22 is the first maneuverable stealth aircraft. The B-2 and F-117 have stealth but cannot maneuver well if engaged by enemy aircraft. While it will usually have first-look, many of the low-radar cross-section advantages are lost in a close-in fight, but its maneuverability, speed, acceleration and avionics will provide critical advantages to the F-22 pilot.
Payload: The F-22 is capable of carrying existing and planned medium- and short-range air-to-air missiles in internal bays. The F-22 will also have an internal 20-mm cannon and provisions for carrying precision ground attack weapons. By carrying the armament internally it keeps the aircraft's radar signature very small.
"We see the F-22 as a revolutionary step for the future that will result in an aircraft that we'll be operating well beyond the year 2030," Fogleman said.
The current aircraft modernization cycle began in the 1970s with the replacement of the Vietnam-era fighters with the F-15, F-16 and A-10. In the '80s attention was turned to the bomber force, developing the B-1 and B-2, and upgrading the 35-year-old B-52. The '90s have seen another shift in force with the C-17 replacing the aging C-141. That brings it full circle back to the fighters.
"The F-15 we depend on for air superiority today will be 30 years old when our first F-22 squadron is fielded," Hawley said. "The F-16 will achieve an equally ripe old age when it is replaced by the Joint Strike Fighter (a low cost, general purpose fighter not capable of air dominance)."
Just as the F-16 complemented the F-15, the JSF will complement the F-22. Also, the cost of developing the revolutionary technology used to create the F-22 will be inherited by the JSF, keeping its cost down, yet allowing for stealth capabilities and state-of-the-art engine technology -- both design teams have chosen the Pratt and Whitney F-119 engine, used in the F-22, as their engine for the proposed JSF.
The F-22 will be a small dominate force allowing the JSF to deploy in quantity, being less capable, but less costly, according to officials.
This nation has invested billions of dollars to achieve technological dominance in aerospace, according to Hawley. These investments in air superiority will yield enormous national security benefits, but these billions constitute lives saved, said Fogleman.
"Parity is not acceptable with the stakes so high," said Honorable Secretary of the Air Force Sheila E. Widnall. "We owe it to the kids of today who will be the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines tomorrow."
As the Air Force celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with the theme "Golden Legacy and Boundless Future", Fogleman said the F-22 is the boundless future.
"It (the F-22) is not an airplane you use to defend your airspace. It's an airplane that is used to dominate the other guy's airspace," said Fogleman.
