The Lockheed-Martin F-22A Raptor.
It is the most feared combat aircraft ever designed by man. A product of Boeing and Lockheed-Martin, powered by immensely powerful Pratt & Whitney engines, it is a fifth-generation fighter combining the ability to supercruise–that is, achieve supersonic flight without the use of afterburner, low-observable characteristics (read: STEALTH), along with advanced integrated avionics and sensors.
If you’ve ever seen the F-22A Raptor Demonstration Team perform at a local airshow, you understand what it’s like to be captivated by it. It is a large aircraft, yet it performs maneuvers normally reserved for light aerobatic planes like the Extra, Zivko Edge, or MX-S with the greatest of ease, laughing in the face of gravity, stretching our understanding of physics, and the sound of its afterburners rattles windows, sets off car alarms, and knocks the dust loose from those hard to reach places near your ceiling.
The F-22 has been controversial in the last few years due to problems with the life-support equipment on the aircraft, which create Hypoxia-like symptoms in pilots. As a result of a very in-depth investigation by the USAF and Lockheed-Martin, the problem has apparently been fixed and the Raptor has been turned loose to prowl the skies in the ways only it can.
For the first time in its nine years of service, the F-22 was deployed in combat over Syria very recently, employing precision-guided munitions against ISIS targets. Even the F-22 pilots who spoke out against the aircraft’s problems agreed that if they had to go to war, there’s no other airplane they’d rather be flying.
Photo Gallery: Lockheed-Martin F-22A Raptor
![Photo Gallery: Lockheed-Martin F-22A Raptor](https://i0.wp.com/cms.sofrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/SEW2160-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C795&ssl=1&w=800)
More from SOFREP
Most Read
Trump Assassination Attempt: Navy SEAL Sniper’s After Action Report
![Trump Assassination Attempt: Navy SEAL Sniper’s After Action Report](https://i0.wp.com/cms.sofrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Trump.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1&resize=400,220)
Navy SEALs Secure Major Legal Victory Against Biden’s COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
![Navy SEALs Secure Major Legal Victory Against Biden’s COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate](https://i0.wp.com/cms.sofrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Trident.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1&resize=400,220)
SOFREP Pic of the Day: Blackwater Bird Strike
![SOFREP Pic of the Day: Blackwater Bird Strike](https://i0.wp.com/cms.sofrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BirdStrike.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1&resize=400,220)
Fifteen Nigerian Soldiers Die in Bloody Border Fight
![Fifteen Nigerian Soldiers Die in Bloody Border Fight](https://i0.wp.com/cms.sofrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Nigerien-soldier.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1&resize=400,220)
Geo Hand’s Delta Force Tales – Green Beret Medics
![Geo Hand’s Delta Force Tales – Green Beret Medics](https://i0.wp.com/cms.sofrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Special-Forces-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1&resize=400,220)
Boeing to Develop Advanced E-7 Aircraft Under New Air Force Contract
![Boeing to Develop Advanced E-7 Aircraft Under New Air Force Contract](https://i0.wp.com/cms.sofrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/E-7A-Wedgetail.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1&resize=400,220)
Recent Comments
Join SOFREP Team Room for Insider Access and Analysis
Your Subscription Supports our Veteran Staff
SUBSCRIBE NOWVETERAN-FRIENDLY COMPANIES
Barrett Firearms
Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world.
- [email protected]
- 615-896-2938
- Visit Website
- PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States
Scrubba Wash Bag
Our ultra-portable washing machine makes your journey easier. This convenient, pocket-sized travel companion allows you to travel lighter while helping you save money, time and water.
Pyramyd Air
Our roots in shooting sports started off back in 1996 with our founder and CEO, Josh Ungier. His love of airguns took hold of our company from day one and we became the first e-commerce retailer dedicated to airguns, optics, ammo, and accessories. Over the next 25 years, customers turned to us for our unmatched product selection, great advice, education, and continued support of the sport and airgun industry.
- [email protected]
- 888-262-4867
- Visit Website
- 5135 Naiman Parkway Solon, OH 44139
RecPak
RecPak is a meal replacement for the outdoors that saves you weight, space and time in the most challenging environments, just add water.
- [email protected]
- Visit Website
- P.O. Box 378 Red Hook, New York 12571 United States
COMMENTS
There are on this article.
You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.