Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor

The Lockheed Martin F/A-22 Raptor (Also known as Rapier and Super Star) is a stealth fighter aircraft designed to replace the F-15C Eagle. Its premier payload and high maneuverability are also reasons why it has good reputation.

Description
The F-22 was first flown as the YF-22 Lightining II in September 29, 1990 as part of the ATF program along with the YF-23 Black Widow II. After a hard-fought fly off, the F-22 was declared the winner on August 1991. The Main production version of the F-22 Raptor (also known as the Lightning II, the Rapier and the SuperStar until April 9, 1997) first flew on September 7, 1997. This version entered service in December of 2005. It's primary role is as an Air Superiority fighter, similar in effect to the F-15C/D Eagle that it was slated to be replace. the missiles on the the aircraft were stored in pockets under the wing on the side and on the middle of the belly. The F-22 also known as the F/A-22 in 2002. This is due to the fact that the Raptor has a secondary ground-attack role. another great roll that it could play is an carrier based variant for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford as seen in some pictures and articles. However, the name changed to F-22A on September 12, 2005. Some of the best traits of the F-22A Raptor are its super-advanced AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, advanced missiles and its supreme performance. It has a supercruise that is normally around Mach 1.5, but can reach at top of Mach 1.8 without afterburners. Its true top speed is still classified. It also has superb agility due to its high thrust-to-weight ratio, high angle of attack, low wing loading, advanced "fly-by-wire" control, and thrust vectoring nozzles. The F-22 is truly a match for any other fighter, even the exclusive Su-37 Terminator. Interestingly, a scenario created by RAND described a situation where a Raptor could be splashed by a group of Su-35 when the Sukhoi's downed the Raptor's tanker support. This study was later proved to be highly inaccurate, due to the Raptor's clear performance advantage, and the Raptor solidified itself as the deadliest air dominance fighter in the world today.

General Characteristics
Performance
 * Crew: 1
 * Length: 62 ft 1 in (18.90 m)
 * Wingspan: 44 ft 6 in (13.56 m)
 * Height: 16 ft 8 in (5.08 m)
 * Wing area: 840 ft² (78.04 m²)
 * Airfoil: NACA 64A?05.92 root, NACA 64A?04.29 tip
 * Empty weight: 43,430 lb (19,700 kg)
 * Loaded weight: 64,460 lb (29,300 kg)
 * Max takeoff weight: 83,500 lb (38,000 kg)
 * Powerplant: 2× Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 Pitch Thrust vectoring turbofans
 * Dry thrust: 23,500 lb[ (104 kN) each
 * Thrust with afterburner: 35,000+ lb (156+ kN) each
 * Fuel capacity: 18,000 lb (8,200 kg) internally,undefinedor 26,000 lb (11,900 kg) with two external fuel tanks
 * Maximum speed:
 * At altitude: Mach 2.25 (1,500 mph, 2,410 km/h)
 * Supercruise: Mach 1.82 (1,220 mph, 1,963 km/h)
 * Range: 1,600 nmi (1,840 mi, 2,960 km) with 2 external fuel tanks
 * Combat radius: 410 nmi (471 mi, 759 km)
 * Ferry range: 2,000 mi (1,738 nmi, 3,219 km)
 * Service ceiling: 65,000 ft (19,812 m)
 * Wing loading: 77 lb/ft² (375 kg/m²)
 * Thrust/weight: 1.08 (1.26 with loaded weight & 50% fuel)
 * Maximum design g-load: -3.0/+9.0 g

Armament
*Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A2 Vulcan gatling gun in starboard wing root, 480 rounds ===Armament ===
 * Air to air loadout:
 * 6× AIM-120 AMRAAM
 * 2× AIM-9 Sidewinder
 * Air to ground loadout:
 * 2× AIM-120 AMRAAM and
 * 2× AIM-9 Sidewinder for self-protection, and one of the following:
 * 2× 1,000 lb (450 kg) JDAM or
 * 8× 250 lb (110 kg) GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs
 * Hardpoints: 4× under-wing pylon stations can be fitted to carry 600 US gallon drop tanks or weapons, each with a capacity of 5,000 lb (2,268 kg).
 * RWR (Radar warning receiver): 250 nmi (463 km) or more
 * Radar: 125-150 miles (200-240 km) against 1 m2 (11 sq ft) targets (estimated range)
 * Chemring MJU-39/40 flares for protection against IR missiles.