It’s expensive, but it’s baaaahaaad. - Page 3

Radar Chief · 03-17-2006, 03:17 PM

The deadliest fighter jet goes operational.
March 2006

The F22 Raptor air superiority fighter is the meanest airplane in the skies, and now its' coming to a TFR near you.
It’s official: The United States Air Force has certified the world’s only "fifth generation" fighter jet as operationally ready. The Lockheed Martin F-22 combines supersonic speed (including supersonic cruise without afterburner) with stealth and advanced targeting, weaponry and defense capabilities to make it hands down the most advanced fighter jet on the planet. With plans to field 183 Raptors in all, the Air Force has already begun to fly operational missions with the jet, including homeland defense missions, so you might see one any day now.
It wasn’t a short gestation period for the world’s best air superiority fighter. The need for a jet like the F-22 to replace the F-15 was first officially voiced by the Air Force in the early 1980s. But the first flight of the prototype YF-22 didn’t take place until 1990, while the first supersonic flight wouldn’t occur for another seven years.
While much of its performance remains classified, according to some reports, in aerial combat tests against F-15s and other frontline U.S. fighters, the
F-22 had a near perfect "kill record" and was never picked up by its foes’ radar during mock combat flights.
Such capabilities come at a price, though: The cost of each F-22, by some estimates, is around $125 million.

Linky.

Logical · 03-17-2006, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

That's a picture of a Russian pilot without a g suit doing a Cobra in a SU-37.

Radar Chief · 03-17-2006, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

That's a picture of a Russian pilot without a g suit doing a Cobra in a SU-37.

Ah, makes sense. I thought it was a rather stressed look’n young man.

Otter · 03-17-2006, 04:30 PM

I'm not a West Point graduate but unless we're about to take on China in old school fronts combat seems like an expensive toy at this stage in the game.

AirForceChief · 03-17-2006, 04:31 PM

I'll probably lay eyes on a couple on my way home from work here at Langley AFB...home of the first active Raptor squadrons. Ironically, my last assignment was Tydall AFB, where the first training squadron was stood up for the Raptor. The Raptor is following me...

**Donger** · 03-17-2006, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otter

I'm not a West Point graduate but unless we're about to take on China in old school fronts combat seems like an expensive toy at this stage in the game.

It's a force multiplier. In other words, one Raptor can do what, say, ten F-15s can do. Dollar for dollar, it's cheaper.

That's the theory, anyway.

RedNFeisty · 03-17-2006, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

Only 183 to replace the almost 500 F-15s that were in service at one time. That is worrisome.

Did you forget about the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Jet in production now!?!

Logical · 03-17-2006, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedNFeisty

Did you forget about the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Jet in production now!?!

JSF is supposed to replace the F-16, F14, A10, and AV-8B is even more worrisome as it is replacing planes that number in the mulitple 1000s with I believe around 600 aircraft.

RedNFeisty · 03-17-2006, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

JSF is supposed to replace the F-16, F14, F18, A10, and AV-8B is even more worrisome as it is replacing planes that number in the mulitple 1000s with I believe around 600 aircraft.

I just read a report saying they were going to help replace the F-15's!!

I know nothing, never listen(read) me!!

Have a wonderfull weekend all, time for me to go and have some fun!!

**Donger** · 03-17-2006, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

JSF is supposed to replace the A10

Logical · 03-17-2006, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

I know but:

http://www.jsf.mil/program/

Quote:

U. S. Navy First day of war, survivable strike fighter aircraft to complement F/A-18E/F
U.S. Air Force Multirole aircraft (primary-air-to-ground) to replace the F-16 and A-10 and complement the F/A-22
U.S. Marine Corps STOVL aircraft to replace the AV-8B and F/A-18 as their only strike fighter

**Donger** · 03-17-2006, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

I know but:

http://www.jsf.mil/program/

Yeah, I know, but it's still amusing in a really dark way.

Logical · 03-17-2006, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Yeah, I know, but it's still amusing in a really dark way.

Yes, I have no idea how it would ever perform that mission.

**Donger** · 03-17-2006, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

Yes, I have no idea how it would ever perform that mission.

The A-10 is scheduled to stay in service with the USAF until 2028, when it may be replaced by the Joint Strike Fighter. In 2005 the entire A-10 fleet will be upgraded to the "C" model that will include improved FCS, ECM, and the ability to carry smart bombs. However, the A-10 may stay in service indefinitely due to both its low cost and its unique capabilities which the Joint Strike Fighter simply cannot incorporate such as its cannon, ruggedness, and slow flying capabilities.

How ironic will it be if the Warthog is still flying long after the F-16s are long gone?

KCHawg · 03-17-2006, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

In 2005 the entire A-10 fleet will be upgraded to the "C" model that will include improved FCS, ECM, and the ability to carry smart bombs.

The fleet isn't getting the upgrade yet, but with the mods we installed prior to Iraqi Freedom we can carry LGB's now.

**Donger** · 03-17-2006, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCHawg

The fleet isn't getting the upgrade yet, but with the mods we installed prior to Iraqi Freedom we can carry LGB's now.

Cool. Can it self-lase targets?

03-17-2006, 03:17 PM
Radar Chief Wearing ballistic dog goggles. Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: In the box. Casino cash: $2811503	It’s expensive, but it’s baaaahaaad. The deadliest fighter jet goes operational. March 2006 The F22 Raptor air superiority fighter is the meanest airplane in the skies, and now its' coming to a TFR near you. It’s official: The United States Air Force has certified the world’s only "fifth generation" fighter jet as operationally ready. The Lockheed Martin F-22 combines supersonic speed (including supersonic cruise without afterburner) with stealth and advanced targeting, weaponry and defense capabilities to make it hands down the most advanced fighter jet on the planet. With plans to field 183 Raptors in all, the Air Force has already begun to fly operational missions with the jet, including homeland defense missions, so you might see one any day now. It wasn’t a short gestation period for the world’s best air superiority fighter. The need for a jet like the F-22 to replace the F-15 was first officially voiced by the Air Force in the early 1980s. But the first flight of the prototype YF-22 didn’t take place until 1990, while the first supersonic flight wouldn’t occur for another seven years. While much of its performance remains classified, according to some reports, in aerial combat tests against F-15s and other frontline U.S. fighters, the F-22 had a near perfect "kill record" and was never picked up by its foes’ radar during mock combat flights. Such capabilities come at a price, though: The cost of each F-22, by some estimates, is around $125 million. Linky.
Posts: 25,546

03-17-2006, 04:31 PM	#34
AirForceChief Thread Killer Extraordinaire Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Monument, Co Casino cash: $10004930	I'll probably lay eyes on a couple on my way home from work here at Langley AFB...home of the first active Raptor squadrons. Ironically, my last assignment was Tydall AFB, where the first training squadron was stood up for the Raptor. The Raptor is following me... __________________ John Stuart Mill: "War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
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