Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-22>HA2801

General Background

The USAF developed a requirement for a new air superiority fighter to replace the F-15 Eagle. Two proposals were submitted with the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor being selected as the new Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF). The aircraft is constructed using 39% titanium, 24% composite material, 16% aluminum and 1% thermoplastic by weight. All these components contribute to the F-22 being a light weight, extremely maneuverable, extremely fast aircraft that uses stealth technology. The F-22 is also capable of ground attack, electronic warfare and signals intelligence.

The Aircraft

In 1976 the 27th TFS was the first operational squadron to fly the F-15 and took part in Operation Desert Storm. On September 1, 1991 the squadron was renamed the 27th Fighter Squadron (Fighting Eagles A.K.A. Black Falcons). In 2005 the 27th FS became the first operational F-22 squadron with a fleet of 40 aircraft. Currently it is one of three squadrons assigned to the 1st Operations Group of the 1st Fighter Wing deployed at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.

Specifications :

First flight:	September 7, 1997
Planned Production:	750 aircraft initial program objective
Altered plan in 1990:	648 aircraft
Altered plan in 1994:	442 aircraft
In 1997 Department of Defense report:	339 aircraft
In 2006 the Pentagon wanted -183 aircraft:	2008 approval for 4 additional aircraft bringing the total to 187
Number built as of August 2009:	145
Role:	Air superiority fighter
Crew:	(1) pilot
Performance
Engines:	(2) Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 engines producing 35,000 lbst of thrust
Speed:	Mach 1.8 (super cruise: Mach 1.5)
G Limit:	+9 G
Ceiling:	60,000 ft (18,290 m)
	The F-22 and other fighters can reach this altitude, but only the F-22 can perform tactical maneuvers at this level.
Dimensions
Length:	62.08 ft (18.90 m)
Height:	16.67 ft (5.08 m)
Wingspan:	44.5 ft (13.56 m)
Wing Area:	840 sq ft (78.04 sq m)
Horizontal Tail-span:	29 ft (8.84 m)
Weights
Empty Weight:	31,670 lb (14,365 kg)
Maximum Takeoff Weight:	60,000 lb (27,000 kg)
Armament:
Internal:	(1) 20mm Cannon
	(4) AIM-9 Sidewinders (side weapon bays)
	(4) AIM-120A AMRAAM (internal ventral bay)
	(6) AIM-120Cs (internal ventral bay)
	(6) GBU-32 JDAM PGMs (internal ventral bay)
	(8) GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs (250lbs ea)
External:	(4) under-wing hard-points with a maximum of 5,000lbs (2,270kg) of mission-specific weaponry or fuel drop-tanks.