Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
The Lockheed Martin F‑22 Raptor, developed by Lockheed Martin in partnership with Boeing and Pratt & Whitney, entered service with the United States Air Force in 2005 after a protracted development program that began in the early 1980s under the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) initiative. Intended to replace the F‑15 Eagle, the Raptor combined stealth, supercruise, advanced avionics and agility to achieve air‑dominance in contested environments. Its airframe is built from radar‑absorbent composite materials, while twin Pratt & Whitney F119‑PW‑100 turbofan engines provide thrust vectoring nozzles that enable tight turns at supersonic speed without afterburner. The integrated avionics suite fuses sensor data from radar, infrared and electronic‑support measures, presenting pilots with a situational‑awareness display that supports network‑centric warfare. With a top speed exceeding Mach 2, a service ceiling above 65,000 feet and the ability to carry a mix of air‑to‑air missiles and precision‑guided munitions, the F‑22 set new performance standards. Though production ceased in 2012 after 187 units, the aircraft remains a cornerstone of U.S. air superiority, influencing the design philosophy of subsequent fifth‑generation fighters such as the F‑35 Lightning II and shaping modern aerial combat doctrine.
Classification
Dimensions
- Length
- 18 metre
- Height
- 5.08 metre
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 195
- First Flight
- 1997
- Service Entry
- 2005
Design & Classification
- Primary Use
- Country of Origin
- Manufacturer
- Lockheed Martin
- Developer
- Lockheed Martin
- Operator
-
United States Air Force
- Wikidata ID
- Q133324