Threat Axis

F-22 Raptor

Originally uploaded by Rob Shenk

In an attempt to position additional purchases of the F-22 Raptor as either an ‘economic recovery project‘ or for sales to performance details of the plane have been released by Lockheed-Martin.

• Radar Cross section – -40 dBsm., the equivalent radar reflection of a steel “marble.”
• Supercruise – Mach 1.78 rather than Mach 1.5
• Acceleration – 51 seconds rather than 54 seconds (did not disclose what speed/altitude this performance metric is for)
• Altitude – non-afterburning/full military – above 50,000 feet (even though reports have the Raptor’s ceiling at 65,000 feet)
• Radar range – 5% greater than expected (ranges on AESA radar‘s are classified, but is estimated to be above 100 miles)

  In support of potential foreign sales – the Raptor will make its Paris Air Show debut later this year. The Raptor was not sent to Paris in 2007, due to the way that French officials handled a previous visit by the F-117 Nighthawk (routing the F-117 over several French military establishments – so they could conduct electronic intelligence gathering).

  Cross your fingers – maybe we will still have enough Air Superiority fighters in 10 years to control the skies over a battlefield.