The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is a stealth tactical fighter and also has ground attack, electronic warfare and intelligence gathering capabilities.
The F-22 has four tail surfaces, retractable tricycle landing gear, and clipped delta wings with reverse trailing edge sweep and leading edge extensions running to the upper outboard corner of the inlets.
Flight control surfaces include leading-edge flaps, flaperons, ailerons, rudders on the canted vertical stabilizers, and all-moving horizontal tails.
Ordinance is carried in internal weapons bays which gives the aircraft comparatively higher performance over most other combat-configured fighters due to a lack of drag from external weaponry.
The airplane's structure contains a significant amount of high-strength materials, titanium alloys 39% and composites comprise 24% to enable it to withstand the stress and heat of sustained supersonic flight.
To act as a speed brake, the ailerons deflect up, flaperons down, and rudders outwards to increase drag.
Maximum speed without external stores is approximately Mach 1.8 at military power and greater than Mach 2 with afterburners.
PRODUCTION
The F-22 Raptor was produced between 1996 and 2011, with 195 aircraft being built.
ENGINES
2 x Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100s, producing 70,000 lb st.
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ARMAMENT
1 x M61A1 Vulcan 20mm cannon
7,000 lb (3,174 kg) Bomb/Missile load,
The F-22 became fully operational in December 2007 with 1st Fighter Wing and Virginia National Guard 192d Fighter Wing.
