F-22 Raptor’s Impressive Maneuverability

[Pfpilot]

Just a question, Were the f-35 given a more powerful engine, would it not overlap much of the capabilities of the f-22 at a far lower cost in an air to air role? Or is the raptor completely untouchable as an air superiority fighter?

 

[500]

Just a question, Were the f-35 given a more powerful engine, would it not overlap much of the capabilities of the f-22 at a far lower cost in an air to air role? Or is the raptor completely untouchable as an air superiority fighter?

What matters is power/weight ratio.

Empty weight of F-22 is 19,700 kg, engine thrust 2x15,890 kg. So we get ratio 1.61 for empty F-22.

Empty weight of F-35 is 13,170 kg, engine thrust 1x18,144 kg. So we get ratio 1.38. Considerably lower than F-22.

In addition F-22 has TVC. On the other hand F-35 has DAS system with HMD that makes him very srong WVR fighter too.

In BVR F-22 has superior stealth, larger radar and better passive radar detection system (ALR-94).

 

[Joe Shearer]

I read somewhere on the USAF website once in a simulated environment.. in Alaska, a Lone f-22 took out 46 f-15s before being cornered by 6 f-15s... Certainly it is the best fighter aircraft ever produced.

Please don't ask for sources as i cant recall. Just google it

Understandably, the Russians seem over enthusiastic to take on the raptor with their PAK FA with India. However, has anyone ever considered what the USAF might have by the time the first PAKFa even rolls out? think not.

As it happens, strangely enough, someone has in fact considered what the USAF might have by the time the first PAK FAs roll off the tarmac - a fighter deficit.

If you look sideways, at the thread What Russia’s Stealth Fighter Developments Mean for America, which is reproduced below in part, you will see why.

So there's your answer.

Russia’s development of the PAK FA fifth-generation stealth fighter could challenge American air supremacy, especially if Russia sells the PAK FA to its usual buyers of military equipment. In the U.S., closure of the F-22 production line has severely limited America’s ability to respond to PAK FA proliferation by building more F-22s and potentially selling them to U.S. allies. The U.S. needs to revise its assessment of U.S. air superiority needs and then explore ways to modernize and strengthen the U.S. tactical fighter force.


With America’s closure of the F-22 production line and the recent debut of Russia’s PAK FA fifth-generation stealth fighter, American air supremacy for the foreseeable future is not as assured as the U.S. Department of Defense once predicted. Indeed, Lieutenant General David A. Deptula, recently departed Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance in the U.S. Air Force, recently made the startling announcement: “For the first time, our claim to air supremacy is in jeopardy.… The dominance we’ve enjoyed in the aerial domain is no longer ours for the taking.”

 

[Joe Shearer]

I read somewhere on the USAF website once in a simulated environment.. in Alaska, a Lone f-22 took out 46 f-15s before being cornered by 6 f-15s... Certainly it is the best fighter aircraft ever produced.

Please don't ask for sources as i cant recall. Just google it

Understandably, the Russians seem over enthusiastic to take on the raptor with their PAK FA with India. However, has anyone ever considered what the USAF might have by the time the first PAKFa even rolls out? think not.

As it happens, strangely enough, someone has in fact considered what the USAF might have by the time the first PAK FAs roll off the tarmac - a fighter deficit.

If you look sideways, at the thread What Russia’s Stealth Fighter Developments Mean for America, which is reproduced below in part, you will see why.

So there's your answer.

Russia’s development of the PAK FA fifth-generation stealth fighter could challenge American air supremacy, especially if Russia sells the PAK FA to its usual buyers of military equipment. In the U.S., closure of the F-22 production line has severely limited America’s ability to respond to PAK FA proliferation by building more F-22s and potentially selling them to U.S. allies. The U.S. needs to revise its assessment of U.S. air superiority needs and then explore ways to modernize and strengthen the U.S. tactical fighter force.


With America’s closure of the F-22 production line and the recent debut of Russia’s PAK FA fifth-generation stealth fighter, American air supremacy for the foreseeable future is not as assured as the U.S. Department of Defense once predicted. Indeed, Lieutenant General David A. Deptula, recently departed Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance in the U.S. Air Force, recently made the startling announcement: “For the first time, our claim to air supremacy is in jeopardy.… The dominance we’ve enjoyed in the aerial domain is no longer ours for the taking.”

 

[silentinksoldier]

It was both political and financial. With so few units made, the unit cost was very high, and the politicians couldn't look past the current conflict. "The Taliban aren't flying fighters" - that sort of thing. So the production was limited.

But there are strong rumors that the production line may be re-opened.

F-22 Raptor Production

what about the >20 hour mainatinance time for every 1 hrs of flight and the critical faliures in every 1.7 hours or so....? and skin getting damaged in rain..

read some reports of lockheed officials saying they didnt meet the parameters...

 

[Chogy]

what about the >20 hour mainatinance time for every 1 hrs of flight and the critical faliures in every 1.7 hours or so....? and skin getting damaged in rain..

read some reports of lockheed officials saying they didnt meet the parameters...

I have heard this over and over. ALL fighters, in fact, all jet aircraft are maintenance intensive. But realize that much of this is inspection. Like we check oil levels in a car. Technically, it's maintenance, but they are not "repairing" the jet.

And it doesn't mean that after a one-hour sortie, 20 guys have to swarm over the airplane for one hour. The jet can fly multiple sorties day after day, and the maintenance is delayed for later. Eventually, a jet gets swarmed, and everything from brake disks to tires, to hydraulic top-off, to repair, happen at a depot level.

Every new airplane has maintenance teething issues, and the last I heard, the F-22 is requiring not much more maintenance than the F-15.

 

[mil-avia]

Two F-22 aircrafts :

1000 × 461 pixels


Related link 1 and link 2.

 

[mil-avia]

Air Force jet crashes in Fla. panhandle
F-22 jet crash 908 × 510 pixels


Related link(s).

 

[mil-avia]

F-22 Fighter jet crashes near Florida Air Force base (picture)




Related link(s).

 

[mil-avia]

Very very large photos of F-22 aircraft crash site November 2012.

 

[mil-avia]

F-22 Raptor unbelievable take off Fairford 2010 :

Related link(s).