NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is the most advanced and most expensive United States fighter aircraft to date. Its supercruise and stealth capabilities, maneuverability and speed make it the most survivable fighter aircraft ever produced.
It was originally scheduled to begin production in 1996 with a total
of 750 aircraft. That was subsequently reduced to 442 aircraft slated
to enter service in 2003 and 2004. Then the Department of Defense
reduced the number to 339 aircraft, then 277, and most recently to 187 aircraft.
The aircraft is a stealth fighter that is capable of speeds over Mach One without
the use of afterburners. This is know as supercruise. It enables the F-22 to travel long distances quickly, while conserving fuel. Using supercruise, fuel consumption of the Raptor is among the
lowest of any modern fighter. Yet, if necessary, the aircraft is capable of tremendous acceleration.
All weapons are carried internally. These include practically every modern weapon the USAF has.
Advanced controls enable the aircraft to have the maneuverability of the most advanced fighters in the world today.
The F-22 Raptor has much of the same stealth technology used in earlier aircraft.
Because it has a more stealth profile, less radar absorbing
paints have to be used on it, saving weight. Also, by eliminating the
canopy frames, there is less chance of reflecting radar beams.
The new engines of the Raptor should last longer than conventional jet engines and they have far less
parts. They are also said to have excellent thrust to weight. The engines are controlled by two computer systems, so that if one fails or is is put out of order, the other can continue functioning.
A "smokeless engine" feature helps keep the aircraft stealthy.
Aircraft maintenance is made easier with all components being easily accessible.
Only six standard tools are used on the engine.
The first production fully vectorable nozzle is used on the engine. It can move up and down by twenty degrees.
Computers aboard check all systems so that the aircraft is self-diagnosing.
All instruments in the F-22 are digital. The cockpit can hold pilots of all sizes, from the very smallest to largest.
The aircraft is ready to taxi in about half a minute after the engine starts. To
start the aircraft, the pilot turns on the battery switch, puts the
throttles to idle, and loads the mission into the computer. That's all!
Air to air weapons include up to eight of the latest missiles, with ground
attack weapons including JDAM's of up to 1,000 lbs. each, and air to
ground missiles.
The aircraft is said to be the only modern fighter that is able to fire weapons
while performing rolling maneuvers of up to 100 degrees per second
during extreme combat.
A unique weapons launching system for the internal ordnance enables
missiles to exit the aircraft using hydraulics. A complete cycle for
launching, including bay opening, the egress of the missile, and engine
start can take less than five seconds. The volumetric pressure on each
missile during this process exceeds forty times the force of gravity at
a speed of almost 30 fps.
The combat radius of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is enhanced by not having drag producing
ordnance on the exterior of the aircraft. Additional benefits from
having internal ordnance are increased maneuverability and speed. This
method of carrying ordnance is a vast improvement over other aircraft that carry their ordnance externally.
At this time a great deal of controversy surrounds the Raptor. Japan and Israel both want to equip their air forces with the aircraft, but that is currently not permitted.
Many say the Raptor should be deployed in numbers greater than the current limit of 187 aircraft. They argue that although the F-22 is superior in virtually any combat environment to
any aircraft produced in the world, its numbers are simply not sufficient should the aircraft be needed in a two front conventional war.
Critics of continuing Raptor production say that there is no need for an air superiority aircraft in today's world where anti terrorism, not strategic battles, are a priority. They
tell us that drones, electronics warfare aircraft, and weapons platform aircraft such as the Lightning II are where the limited U.S. defense budget for aircraft should be spent.
We are told that the Lightning II will use virtually the same stealth technology for covering the aircraft that makes maintenance of the F-22 Raptor so costly. As of this writing the Lightning II is at least eleven months behind schedule and about US$ 14 billion over budget. Its speed, maneuverability, and weapons capacity is inferior to the F-22 Raptor.
Some argue that it is better to build more F-22 Raptors, that have been proven the best fighter
aircraft in the world, rather than gambling on unproven alternatives. Building more Raptors for the U.S. plus selling them to Allies would also lower the unit cost of the aircraft.
To date a total of 145 Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor aircraft have been produced. Production will end at a total of 187 aircraft.
Specifications
US$Cost:
Primary Function:
Crew:
Engine/Thrust:
Weight Empty:
Max. Weight:
Length:
Wingspan:
Cruise Speed:
Max Speed:
Climb Rate:
Ceiling:
Range:
Max. G. load:
First Flight:
$350,000,000.00
fighter/bomber
one
2x 35,000 lbs. ea.
31,670 lbs.
80,000 lbs.
62' 1"
44' 6"
1,140 mph
1,600 mph
50,000 fpm est.
65,000 feet
2,000 miles
+ 9.5
9/7/97
Radio Control Airplane
The Nitro Planes rc F-22 Raptor.
Radio Control Airplanes:
Pictured above is the rc F-22 Raptor from Nitro Planes that comes either as a RTF of ARF. Wing span is 29 1/2" and length is 36". Included are two 4300 kV motors turning 55 mm fans. It weighs around 26 oz. all up.
In the first picture below is the Hangar 9 gas prop 52" wing span rc F-22 Raptor RTF including engine, radio, and servos, all pre-installed. Length is 50", power is by an EVOE engine, and weight is around 7 1/4 lbs. You can start using it as a trainer that can be modified into an aerobatic flyer as your flying skills advance.
Hans Joachim has plans for both pusher prop and EDF powered rc F-22 Raptor models.
Jet Set 44's has plans for a foam 26" wing span pusher prop rc F-22 Raptor. Power for their RC airplane is by a LSJP motor or equivalent.
Skymaster jets has a 72" wing span turbine powered rc F-22 Raptor kit coming soon, so check their site often.
Yellow Aircraft sells a huge 83" wing span rc F-22 Raptor kit for power by a single turbine.
In the second picture below is the 62" wing span rc F-22 Raptor built from a Century Jet Models kit. Power is by a single 21 - 40 lb. output turbine.
Christine Diffusion has a 60" wing span rc F-22 Raptor for turbine power.
For people looking for a smaller EDF powered RC F-22 Raptor, RBC has a 33" wing span kit for 2 WeMoTec Microfans.
You can find plans for a number of foam electric powered pusher prop rc F-22 Raptor airplanes at Park jets. com.
The next picture below is of the rc F-22 Raptor ARF from SAPAC America. Wing span is 31 1/2" and length is 44". It is all foam. Powering comes from a pair of 2830 motors driving 6 bladed, 64 mm fans.
FlyFly Models has a larger styrofoam rc F-22 Raptor ARF. Its wingspan is 45", length is 51", and weight is around 3 1/2 lbs. It needs a 1800 kV motor to drive the included 92 mm fan unit.
Ultimate RC has a F-22 Raptor rc airplane for sale. It comes ready to fly and includes a pair of motors driving 55 mm fan units. Wingspan is 29", length is 33" and weight is around 28 oz.
Hong Kong T&B Enterprise Co. wants to sell you their ready to fly rc F-22 Raptor made from styrofoam. Its wingspan is 29" and length is 36". Included is a brushless motor with a 55 mm EDF unit.
The bottom picture is of the rc F-22 Raptor from Blitz RC Works. It comes ready to fly. Wingspan is 33 1/2" and length is 48 1/2". It comes with a motor and 70 mm EDF unit. Weight is just 2 lbs.
We welcome your emails if you know of any other rc F-22 Raptor.
Jim Young of Phelps, NY writes: "On our first trip to the flying field with the Hanger 9 rc F-22 Raptor, Darrell
started the engine and it sounded good. The airplane
took off with a little climb, and Darrell brought it back
over the field for a trim pass. "It really moves out!",
Darrell said, as he pulled up in to a vertical roll. He made a slow fly
pass, followed by a touch and go, where the rc F-22 Raptor's prop
helped with the field maintenance by mowing some weeds. Darrell put his
airplane into a right spin, then changed to a left spin,
and continued spinning........... right into the ground! He chopped the
throttle just before his rc F-22 Raptor hit, and said, "I didn't have it there at the last."
We trekked 300 yards through brush to collect the airplane. "Must be my lucky day,"
said Darrell as he surveyed scene. The main damage
was where the rc F-22 Raptor wing tore loose from the fuselage. The
wing was cracked on the right side.
Further inspection indicated that the aileron servo may
have come loose during the spin. Another theory is that the model
may have been tail heavy, snapping into a left spin
when up elevator was used to try and break out of the right spin."
F-22
