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 behind schedule and 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.
Russia is building a stealth fifth generation fighter aircraft, with the help of India, that will most likely be exported. It is expected to be ready by 2016 and cost less than half as much as the F-22.
To date a total of 169 Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor aircraft have been produced. Production will end at a total of 187 aircraft.
Specifications
Primary Function:
Crew:
Engine/Thrust:
Weight Empty:
Max. Weight:
Length:
Wingspan:
Cruise Speed:
Max Speed:
Climb Rate:
Ceiling:
Range:
Max. G. load:
First Flight:
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 gas prop 52" wingspan rc F-22 Raptor RTF for sale by Hangar 9 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 had a 72" wingspan rc F-22 Raptor kit for sale, but it is no longer shown on their site.
Yellow Aircraft sells a giant scale 83" wingspan rc F-22 Raptor kit for power by a single turbine.
In the second picture below is the 62" wingspan 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" wingspan rc F-22 Raptor for turbine power.
For people looking for a smaller EDF powered rc F-22 Raptor, RBC has a 33" wingspan 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 for sale from SAPAC America. Wingspan 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.
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.
The bottom picture is of the rc
F-22 Raptor RTF for sale from Blitz RC Works. 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.
Tomhe.net has free plans for a rc F-22 Raptor profile pusher prop model with a 28" wingspan and 39" length.
Kyosho has a rc F-22 Raptor ARF for sale. Its wingspan is 25" and length is 27". It comes with a motor and 55 mm EDF unit. Weight is about 17 oz.
Mikey's RC has free plans for a rc F-22 Raptor profile model with a 35" wingspan.
Huayu Hobby Ltd., China, has the rc F-22 Raptor for sale as a RTF or ARF in a number of color schemes. It has a 33" wingspan with a 44" length and weighs about 35 oz. Twin motors powering 64 mm fans are included.
China Supplier Ltd., Hong Kong, has a RTF F-22 Raptor scale model radio control airplane for sale. It has a wingspan of 33 1/2" and a length of 48 1/2". Included is a motor and 70 mm EDF.
Shenzhen Lanxiang Model Aircraft Co., China makes a rc F-22 Raptor ARF for sale. It has a 48" wingspan with a length of 33 1/2". Included is a motor and 70 mm fan unit. Weight is around 2 lbs.
Aero Toy Shop, Australia has a rc F-22 Raptor RTF for sale. Its wingspan is 29 1/2" and it is 36" long. Included are two motors and 55 mm fans, a radio, speed controllers, flight battery and charger. Weight is about 26 oz.
SN Hobbies, Canada advertises that they have a rc F-22 Raptor RTF for sale. They do not provide its wingspan, length, type of power, or weight.
Jets Over Baguio, Philippines, has a foamy profile F-22 Raptor ARF for sale with a 22" wingspan.
Gadget World Exports, China, has a rc F-22 Raptor ARF for sale. Its wingspan is 44" and length is 33". Two motors and 64 mm fans power the approximately 37 oz. scale model rc airplane.
Hongkong T&B Enterprise Ltd., China has a rc F-22 Raptor RTF for sale made from styrofoam. Its wingspan is 29" and length is 36". Included is a brushless motor with a 55 mm EDF unit.
Hongkong T&B Enterprise also has a 27" wingspan rc F-22 Raptor RTF foamy for sale.
Starmax Technology Industry Ltd., China has a rc F-22 Raptor ARF for sale. It has a 27" wingspan, 39 1/2" length and weighs about 32 oz. Construction is EPS and power comes from a motor and 70 mm fan unit.
Starmax also has a larger 34" wingspan rc F-22 Raptor ARF for sale. Its length is 44". Power comes from a motor and 64 mm EDF.
Foshan Jun Feng Model Shop China advertises a rc F-22 Raptor for sale. No wingspan, length, or type of power is specified.
Fly Fly Models, China has a 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.
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."
Radio Control Airplane
Hangar 9 rc F-22 Raptor RTF.
Radio Control Airplane
Century Jet Models rc F-22 Raptor.
Radio Control Airplane
SAPAC America rc F-22 Raptor.
Radio Control Airplane
The rc F-22 Raptor from Blitz RC Works.
At RC Universe hpghost posted about his rc F-22 Raptor project.
At RC Universe mlesher had a rc F-22 Raptor for sale.
Netmechanic of Watt Flyer started a rc F-22 Raptor build thread.
Flying442 started a thread about his rc F-22 Raptor at Watt Flyer.
At Watt Flyer, mattd had questions about his new rc F-22 Raptor.
At RC Groups, jeffhines was asking about his a rc F-22 Raptor.
At RC Groups, ghoward79 had questions about a rc F-22 Raptor.
At RC Groups GregM posted about his rc F-22 Raptor.
Synwpn of RC Groups started a build thread for his rc F-22 Raptor.
At You Tube, hyojung79 posted a video of a rc F-22 Raptor.
At Metcafe, Slowflyer posted a video of a rc F-22 Raptor.
At RC Airplane World, King Bradley posted a picture of his rc F-22 Raptor.
F-22
