BADASS PICTURE SHOWS TYNDALL’S F-22 RAPTORS RESTING IN THE DARK

Tyndall’s F-22 Raptors are essential to the mission of training and projecting combat air power and are a critical component of air dominance

Taken on Dec. 15, 2016 the cool picture in this post shows U.S. Air Force (USAF) F-22 Raptors in various stages of routine maintenance sit in a hangar during the night at Tyndall Air Force Base (AFB), Fla..

Noteworthy the Raptors at Tyndall’s 325th Fighter Wing (FW) are essential to the mission of training and projecting combat air power and are a critical component of air dominance.

A combination of sensor capability, integrated avionics, situational awareness, and weapons provides first-kill opportunity against threats. The F-22 possesses a sophisticated sensor suite allowing the pilot to track, identify, shoot and kill air-to-air threats before being detected. Significant advances in cockpit design and sensor fusion improve the pilot’s situational awareness. In the air-to-air configuration the Raptor carries six AIM-120 AMRAAMs and two AIM-9 Sidewinders.

The F-22 has a significant capability to attack surface targets. In the air-to-ground configuration the aircraft can carry two 1,000-pound GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) internally and will use on-board avionics for navigation and weapons delivery support. In the future air-to-ground capability will be enhanced with the addition of an upgraded radar and up to eight small diameter bombs (SDBs). The Raptor will also carry two AIM-120s and two AIM-9s in the air-to-ground configuration.

Advances in low-observable technologies provide significantly improved survivability and lethality against air-to-air and surface-to-air threats. The F-22 brings stealth into the day, enabling it not only to protect itself but other assets.

Source: U.S. Air Force; Photo credit: Airman 1st Class Cody R. Miller / U.S. Air Force