Lockheed F-22 Raptor - The 21st century fighter

The F-22 Raptor is a fighter aircraft that uses stealth technology.It is primarily an air superiority fighter, but has multiple capabilities that include ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence roles.The United States Air Force considers the F-22 a critical component of the U.S. strike force.The USAF states that the F-22 cannot be matched by any known or projected fighter aircraft.Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Chief of the Australian Defence Force, said in 2004 that the "F-22 will be the most outstanding fighter plane ever built."The first production F-22 was delivered to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, on 14 January 2003 and "Dedicated Initial Operational Test and Evaluation" commenced on 27 October 2003.In August 2007, the United States Air Force signed a $5 billion, multi-year contract with Lockheed Martin that will extend production to 2011, and as of 2008, F-22 Raptors are being procured at the rate of 20 per year.The F-22 is a fifth generation fighter that is considered a fourth-generation stealth aircraft by the USAF. Its dual afterburning Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofans incorporate pitch axis thrust vectoring, with a range of ±20 degrees. The maximum thrust is classified, though most sources place it at about 35000 lbf (156 kN) per engine. Maximum speed: Mach 2.25 (1500 mph, 2410 km/h)The Raptor is designed to carry air-to-air missiles in internal bays, both to avoid disrupting its stealth capability and to reduce drag resulting in higher top speeds and longer combat ranges. Launching missiles requires opening the weapons bay doors for less than a second, while the missiles are pushed clear of the airframe by hydraulic arms. The aircraft can also carry bombs compatible with the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance system, and the new Small-Diameter Bomb (SDB). The Raptor carries an M61A2 Vulcan 20 mm rotary cannon, also with a trap door, in the right wing root.The United States Air Force has 122 F-22s in its active inventory as of July 2008.

By Cyberarmy007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFxUnb50194
PS:This fighter jet is the one--I think--that Gates will cancel later this month...Yep...CHANGE we can TRUST on...right...?
As in the days of Noah....