Another "praise the Raptor" article

[jfulginiti]

There was an F-22 demo at the Seymour Johnson airshow a few weeks ago. Very cool to watch. But I still wonder who we're going to fight with that thing. Not worth the $180+ million dollars if you ask me.

I overheard a few air force guys discussing how to employ the AIM-9 on an F-22 since it's housed inside the jet. Their main concern was ruining the stealth capability to open the doors and shoot it. Maybe it's just me but if you're about to shoot a Sidewinder at someone, I don't think stealth really matters anymore.

 

[HAL Pilot]

Well, at the time they were the only F-22 demos anywhere, at least according to the announcer.

Well the announcer lied. I've seen F-22 demos at the annual Nellis air show for a couple of years now.

 

[usmarinemike]

I overheard a few air force guys discussing how to employ the AIM-9 on an F-22 since it's housed inside the jet. Their main concern was ruining the stealth capability to open the doors and shoot it. Maybe it's just me but if you're about to shoot a Sidewinder at someone, I don't think stealth really matters anymore.

I sure as hell hope they were bulk fuelers or DEP poolees or something. Unless you're sneaking up on someone hardcore the jig is pretty much up if you're in that kind of range.

 

[Viper 01]

Stunning! Absolutly beautiful!
Steve

 

[HeyJoe]

F-22 is an Air Force jet, so definitely no plans to make it carrier capable...

Not that they didn't try. There were proposals for a swing wing F-22 and a swing wing F-117 in aftermath of the AX debacle. Neither one got anywhere after lots of pretty PowerPoint briefs and trips around the beltway and to the fleet to brief both concepts.

 

[usmarinemike]

Not that they didn't try. There were proposals for a swing wing F-22 and a swing wing F-117 in aftermath of the AX debacle. Neither one got anywhere after lots of pretty PowerPoint briefs and trips around the beltway and to the fleet to brief both concepts.

Your link took me to the wiki for the term fahrenheit.

 

[jfulginiti]

I sure as hell hope they were bulk fuelers or DEP poolees or something. Unless you're sneaking up on someone hardcore the jig is pretty much up if you're in that kind of range.

It was a bunch of F-15E guys.

 

[raptor10]

Naval Advanced Tactical Fighter (NATF) 1988-1991

 

[raptor10]

F-117N - A/F-117X

 

[navyao]

F-22 under attack for costs and maintainer issues

F-22 near perfect in exercises??

 

[Brett327]

Sounds like typical AF propaganda. "Hey, all that money was worth it, really!" What? A superhornet didn't score at kill against it at Red Flag? Gee, I wonder why?

Brett

 

[snake020]

I've never heard of a Super Hornet getting shot down by the International Date Line either and having to follow a tanker to find the way home.

 

[HeyJoe]

I haven't heard the story of the Superbug.

That's point he was trying to make...Super Hornets can cross the IDL unscathed, but it kicked the Raptors' butts first time they went 1v1 with it. And then there was the F/A-18F that gunned the Raptor out of Tyndall. That gun camera film did get out with cries of foul.

 

[MrSaturn]

I like how they mitigate the F-22's loss by basically saying...
Oh its not a problem with our new toy its because one of our top pilots lost situational awareness in simulated combat.

 

[PropStop]

All new planes go through growing pains, the F-22 is no exception. Remember how many problems they had with the F-16? I don't think anyone will now today say that the F-16 was a bad investment.

Talked to a Rhino buddy of mine and he had nothing but good things to say about the Raptor (having flown against it several times). It is a great plane and has a lot of potential.

Not to say that the Rhino isn't a great plane too, but it is clearly not at the same level as the Raptor. Of course you can buy four Rhinos for ever Raptor. 4:1 is pretty good odds!