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The Raptor
The F-22 Raptor is combination of stealth, supercruise, maneuverability, and integrated avionics, coupled with improved supportability, represents an exponential leap in warfighting capabilities.
The F-22 engines produce more thrust than any current fighter engine. The combination of sleek aerodynamic design and increased thrust allows the F-22 to cruise at supersonic airspeeds (greater than 1.5 Mach) without using afterburner — a characteristic known as supercruise. Supercruise greatly expands the F-22 ‘s operating envelope in both speed and range over current fighters, which must use fuel-consuming afterburner to operate at supersonic speeds.
The sophisticated F-22 aerodesign, advanced flight controls, thrust vectoring, and high thrust-to-weight ratio provide the capability to outmaneuver all current and projected aircraft. The F-22 design has been extensively tested and refined aerodynamically during the development process.
The F-22 is the only jet that manufacturers teams watch fly at air shows
The F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team performs precision aerial maneuvers at air shows across the world to demonstrate the unique capabilities of the world’s premier 5th generation fighter aircraft.
Earl Belz, former Flightline Quality Assurance Manager at Lockheed Martin, tells an interesting story to The Aviation Geek Club.
‘I have had the unbelievable privilege of working with Lockheed Martin at three International Air Shows with the F-16 program.
‘I was at Farnborough in 98, 02 and again in 2010.
‘At the 2010 edition we were on the ramp preparing our jet for a demonstration. Parked next to us was Boeing with a brand-new F/A-18 Super Hornet, Eurofighter had a Typhoon and Dassault had a Rafale, all parked on the ramp next to us.
‘It is, of course, a matter of professional pride that you never watch the other manufacturers teams fly their demonstration. After all, you’ve seen all of that and your jet can do all of that and even better. It’s pride, pure and simple.
‘As it happened, there was the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford and the announcers at Farnborough announced that an F-22 that was at Fairford was going to make a guest appearance at Farnborough and perform a brief demonstration.
‘That was the first and only time I’ve ever seen everyone on the flightline stop what they were doing to watch a jet.
‘What an amazing piece of technology.
‘Blows my mind to watch the F-22.’
The following video features the F-22 Raptor Demo Team performing at Farnborough Air Show 2010.
“We know who we work for”
Belz adds other details during his days with Lockheed Martin’s F-16 program;
‘Lockheed leases jets from the commands close to the air shows. We literally take aircraft with hundreds of hours on them and perform those shows.
‘Our team normally leases two aircraft, one for static display and the other for the flights in the airshow. We, of course do a thorough inspection of the jets when we get them. We inspect and set the flight controls, inspect the engine, airframe… and get a couple of days to dial the jets in to the pilot’s satisfaction and Technical Orders.
‘What I always love is that the F-16s we lease are literally war birds and not new jets. The crew chiefs are flown over when their jets are delivered. Most of them have never seen the jets they crew perform like the Lockheed Martin pilots fly them. They are blown away and proud too! That’s the best part.’
Belz concludes;
‘We have a motto at Lockheed and it’s “We know who we work for” and that is so true. We are proud of what we build for our military men and women.’
Photo credit: SSgt Samuel Rogers / U.S. Air Force and Earl Belz
