The F-22 Raptor is an American fighter aircraft that utilizes stealth technology. The F-22s are replacing the U.S. Air Force's veteran air superiority fighter, the F-15 Eagle.
On April 6, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said that he will end the F-22 program by 2011, after funding four more fighters. The Defense department plans to increase purchases of the F-35.Bloomberg: Lockheed, Defense Shares Rise as Gates Shifts Pentagon Plans (April 6, 2009)
Timeline
- January 14, 2003: First completed F-22 delivered to Nellis Air Force Base
- December 20, 2004: First F-22 crashCNN.com: Nevada crash grounds F-22 fighters
- February 11, 2007: Six F-22s experience computer crashes while on deployment in JapanAir Force Link: Raptors arrive at Kadena
- August 2007: Lockheed Martin's contract extended until 2011
- August 29, 2007: 100th F-22 delivered to Nellis
- July 2008: F-22s featured at an air show in the United Kingdom
March 2009 Fighter Crash
On March 25, 2009, an F-22 fighter crashed in Southern California, about 35 miles from Edwards Air Force Base.ABC7.com: F-22 crashes near Edwards Air Force Base (March 25, 20090 The plane was conducting a test mission in the area. The test pilot, 49-year-old David Cooley was killed in the crash.ChicagoTribune.com: Test pilot killed in F-22 crash an Ill. native (March 26, 2009)
Featured Video
References
Fast Facts
-
Length
62 ft. 1 in.
-
Wingspan
44 ft. 6 in.
-
Height
16 ft. 8 in.
-
Fact:
Supercruise speed of Mach 1.82
-
Role
Stealth air superiority fighter
-
Origin
-
Fact:
Developed by Lockheed Martin
-
Introduced on
January 14, 2003
-
Status
Active
-
Fact:
Primarily used by the U.S. Air Force
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
Total cost per aircraft is $361 million
