The death of the F-22 Raptor Fighter!

Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that the Pentagon plans to end production of the F-22 Raptor, the world’s premier 5TH generation fighter. The F-22 is the only fighter capable of simultaneously conducting air-to-air and air-to-ground combat missions with near impunity. This is accomplished with a never-before-seen standard of survivability even while facing large numbers of sophisticated airborne and ground-based threats.
Gates said he would nearly double the allocation to $11.2 billion for the F-35 Lightning II, another stealth plane that Israel would like to acquire, as part of a budget plan he will be taking to US President Barack Obama.
He added that despite the backing the program had from some quarters, deciding to end the F-22 production “was not a close call,” since the initial order of 183, plus an addition four budgeted in 2009, will be completed. “We have fulfilled the program. I mean, it’s not like we’re killing the F-22,” he said.
The secretary’s proposal also increased funds for several missile defense programs, including $700 million for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and the Standard Missile 3 programs, as well as $200m. to convert six more Aegis Combat System ships to provide ballistic missile defense capabilities.
This would dash Japan’s hopes for acquiring the Lockheed Martin Corp-built jet as the country’s next-generation mainstay striker.
Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics + Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
Program cost: US$65 billion
The F-22 is an entirely new way of thinking about fighter capabilities. This 5TH generation fighter represents a leap in warfighting capabilities for the U.S. Air Force and coalition forces.
* Advanced stealth – enables 24/7 operations while remaining virtually undetected by enemy forces
* Supercruise speeds greater than Mach 1.5 without afterburners – enhance survivability/lethality
* Extreme fighter agility – allows outmaneuvering through acceleration and razor-sharp turns
* Information fusion – generates 360-degree battlespace awareness for pilot
* Joint force enabler – assures future air dominance for joint and coalition forces
General characteristics
* Crew: 1
* Length: 62 ft 1 in (18.90 m)
* Wingspan: 44 ft 6 in (13.56 m)
* Height: 16 ft 8 in (5.08 m)
* Wing area: 840 ft² (78.04 m²)
* Airfoil: NACA 64A?05.92 root, NACA 64A?04.29 tip
* Empty weight: 43,430 lb (19,700 kg )
* Loaded weight: 64,460 lb (29,300 kg)
* Max takeoff weight: 83,500 lb (38,000 kg)
* Powerplant: 2× Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 Pitch Thrust vectoring turbofans, 35,000+ lb (156+ kN) each
* Fuel capacity: 18,000 lb (8,200 kg) internally, or 26,000 lb (11,900 kg) with two external fuel tanks
Performance
* Maximum speed:
o At altitude: Mach 2.25 (1,500 mph, 2,410 km/h)
o Supercruise: Mach 1.82 (1,220 mph, 1,963 km/h)
* Range: 1,600 nmi (1,840 mi, 2,960 km) with 2 external fuel tanks
* Combat radius: 410 nmi (471 mi, 759 km)
* Ferry range: 2,000 mi (1,738 nmi, 3,219 km)
* Service ceiling: 65,000 ft (19,812 m)
* Wing loading: 66 lb/ft² (322 kg/m²)
* Thrust/weight: 1.08 (1.26 with 50% fuel)
* Maximum g-load: -3.0/+9.0 g
There are two basic external configurations for the F-22:
* Four 600 gallon fuel tanks, no external weapons: This configuration is used when the aircraft is being ferried and extra range is needed. A BRU-47/A rack is used on each pylon to hold the external tanks.
* Two 600 gallon fuel tanks, four missiles: This configuration is used after air dominance in a battle area has been secured, and extra loiter time and firepower is required for Combat Air Patrol (CAP). The external fuel tanks, held by a BRU-47/A rack are carried on the inboard stations, while a pylon fitted with two LAU-128/A rail launchers is fitted to each of the outboard stations.

http://ceoworld.biz/ceo/2009/04/08/the-death-of-the-f-22-raptor-fighter