The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is a
single-seat, twin-engine fifth-generation supermaneuverable fighter
aircraft tthat uses stealth technology. It was designed primarily as
an air superiority fighter, but has additional capabilities that
include ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals
intelligence roles. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics is the prime contractor
and is responsible for the majority of the airframe, weapon systems and
final assembly of the F-22. Program partner Boeing Defense, Space &
Security provides the wings, aft fuselage, avionics integration, and
training systems.
The aircraft was variously designated F-22 and F/A-22 during the years prior to formally entering USAF service in December 2005 as the F-22A.
Despite a protracted and costly development period, the United States
Air Force considers the F-22 a critical component of U.S. tactical air
power, and claims that the aircraft is unmatched by any known or
projected fighter, while
Lockheed Martin claims that the Raptor's combination of stealth, speed,
agility, precision and situational awareness, combined with air-to-air
and air-to-ground combat capabilities, makes it the best overall fighter
in the world today. Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, former Chief of the Australian Defence Force, said in 2004 that the "F-22 will be the most outstanding fighter plane ever built.
The high cost of the aircraft, a lack of clear air-to-air combat
missions because of delays in the Russian and Chinese fifth-generation
fighter programs, a U.S. ban on Raptor exports, and the ongoing
development of the planned cheaper and more versatile F-35 resulted in
calls to end F-22 production. In April 2009, the US Department of
Defense proposed to cease placing new orders, subject to Congressional
approval, for a final procurement tally of 187 operational
aircraft. TheNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2010 lacked funding for further F-22 production. The final F-22 rolled
off the assembly line on 13 December 2011 during a ceremony at Dobbins
Air Reserve Base.
Since
2010 the F-22 has been plagued by unresolved problems with its pilot
oxygen systems which contributed to one crash and death of a pilot. The
fleet was grounded for four months in 2011. The Raptor fleet has resumed
flight operations, although problems with the oxygen systems have
continued to be reported. On
24 July 2012, the United States Air Force announced that the hypoxia
like symptoms were being caused by faulty valve in the pilots' pressure
vest that caused it to inflate and remain inflated, triggering breathing
problems. The Air Force is replacing the valve and increasing the
volume of air flowing to the pilots by removing a filter that was
installed to check for contaminants in the system.
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