F-22 Raptor Thread

[FORBIN]

I have always same opinion not enough money in more F-35 in full ramp up FRP for 2/3 years and USAF can't provide money for 2 fighters types or less F-35 but much less.

Or only way big changes for the budget going for about or more as 550 billions base this year 528 planned FY 2017 : 531.

The last F-22 in FRP FY 2009 24/year had cost approximately 5 bill, one want fly away in 2009 : 150 millions now say 160 about actualy F-35A want 100.
Then if they build about 20 need about 4 billions.

Despite this if budget can increase ?? with also sequestration which can limit it ( presumably necessary a vote for modifications ) since 2013 sequestration is in force ...

Idealy build new Block 40 with a weapons bays able to host 2000 lb bombs, Bombs on external hard points also actualy no possible, EOTS for LGB and IRST for improved A2A capacity.

 

[Air Force Brat]

AF BRAT must be too happy to respond to know that his "honey badger" will have a chance to be back into production.

Heh! Heh! Heh! well I told ya so, this is response to the growing Russian and Chinese threat, actually Equation, the "Honey Badger" is my wifey. I refer to my lovely F-22 as the "Alien Bird" because all that tech actually came from the "visitation" at Roswell, New Mexico in 1947. It was billed as a crash in order to throw off the "Red Revolution", and it worked very well.

Yes, we will continue to studiously guard the "Air Superiority" we were "gifted" with by our friends in 1947, and yes they have recommended that we "re-engage" the machinery to meet the future threat and maintain "world peace"? a mission that President Ronald Reagan defined as "Peace through Strength".

While its not quite certain who will pick of the "mantle of fidelity", the aliens are hopeful enough that they will once again assist us in bringing the "Alien Bird" up to a much higher level of aggression. Again Equation, I want to remind you that this is "eyes only" bruda, I hope you will live up to my very high expectations of you and keep this "cat in the bag"?

 

[FORBIN]

A technical point interesting

March 8, 2016

...

The F-22 Raptor units of the 3rd Wing—which includes the 90th Fighter Squadron and the 525th Fighter Squadron—are the first to receive the AIM-9X. But units flying the F-15 and F-16, as well as the Navy and Marine Corps’ F/A-18 Hornet squadrons, have been equipped with the new weapon for years.

It took the Air Force more than a decade to equip the Raptor with the AIM-9X because of the F-22’s obtuse avionics architecture—which is exceptionally difficult to upgrade. Even this recent addition of the AIM-9X is a jury-rigged interim measure called Update 5, which also includes an automatic ground collision avoidance system.

While the new software upgrade allows Raptor pilots to take advantage of the performance of the new missile, the jet’s targeting display will not show the correct symbology for the AIM-9X. Instead, the weapon will have the same displays as the current AIM-9M and pilots will have to compensate for the difference.

The situation will not be rectified until a new enhanced stores management system (ESMS) is added to the frontline Block 30 and Block 35 Raptors in 2018 with the Increment 3.2B hardware upgrade. With Inc. 3.2B, the F-22 will display the proper symbology for the AIM-9X. But even then, the F-22 will not have a helmet-mounted cueing system—which was deleted during the jet’s problematic development program in the late 1990s.

Raptor pilots will be able take advantage of many of the superior capabilities of the AIM-9X even without a helmet-mounted cueing system. But to fully exploit the outer edges of the new Sidewinder’s greatly expanded weapons employment zone, F-22 pilots will eventually need one.

...

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[dtulsa]

Would not be possible that we end up seeing a greatly modified 22 maybe without thrust vector capability and wouldn't that save quite a few dollars by itself this Bird simply has to placed back into production for this country to have a viable air superiority options

 

[Air Force Brat]

Would not be possible that we end up seeing a greatly modified 22 maybe without thrust vector capability and wouldn't that save quite a few dollars by itself this Bird simply has to placed back into production for this country to have a viable air superiority options

It most definitely should be returned to production immediately using the avionics architecture of the F-35, as well as a pair upgraded new tech F-35s, with additional fuel capacity. On the other hand, we have made do, and if we had to, the F-35 is a very capable air to air platform, it is more stealthy than earlier anticipated, and has excellent flying qualities, its only real deficiency at present are heat and lack of supercruise/speed in general.

So no reason to despair, on the other hand the Raptor should be bought in sufficient numbers to optimize our Air Superiority Mission Capability, the Raptor will likely serve to 2050 and beyond, an upgrade would extend that life until suitable six gen capabilities are generated.

 

[Jeff Head]

On the other hand, we have made do, and if we had to, the F-35 is a very capable air to air platform, it is more stealthy than earlier anticipated, and has excellent flying qualities, its only real deficiency at present are heat and lack of supercruise/speed in general.

So no reason to despair, on the other hand the Raptor should be bought in sufficient numbers to optimize our Air Superiority Mission Capability, the Raptor will likely serve to 2050 and beyond, an upgrade would extend that life until suitable six gen capabilities are generated.

I'd love to see another 100 F-22 built. Minimum of 63 to get us up to a total of 250.

But, as I said in the F-35 thread, my most recent check showed the following aircraft having been ordered and at some stage of production:

USAF - 110
USMC - 61
USN --- 27
UK - 10
Italy - 8
Japan - 4
Norway - 4
Australia - 2
Netherlands - 2

This is 198 US Aircraft and 32 foreign aircraft, or 230 ordered and in queue.

Of these the following have actually been delivered:

USAF - 91
USMC - 55
USN --- 21
UK - 3
Italy - 3
Australia - 2
Netherlands - 2
Norway - 2

That's 167 US F-35 Aircraft and 12 Foreign aircraft, or a total of 179 aircraft.

So, with the current 187 operational F-22s, the US now has a total of 344 operational 5th generation aircraft of its own right now.

 

[Skywatcher]

Well, there's level of risk that comes with modernizing the F-22A.

Even with a 5% GDP defense budget, Uncle Sam still has to pay for other priorities, such as the B-21, the F-35s, various unmanned program, recapitalizing the Army, and a 300+ ship USN (including possibly a 12th CVN).

 

[dtulsa]

I know it's tough juggling act money wise that's why I wonder if lifting the export ban and allowing certain very trustworthy allies ie. Isreal Japan Australia etc to purchase / coproduce them might be an answer I think I did read in the report about such an idea could you imagine those allies with the 22 seems like logic to me

 

[Air Force Brat]

I know it's tough juggling act money wise that's why I wonder if lifting the export ban and allowing certain very trustworthy allies ie. Isreal Japan Australia etc to purchase / coproduce them might be an answer I think I did read in the report about such an idea could you imagine those allies with the 22 seems like logic to me

Extremely Logical My Boy, and you get the SDF Post of the Week right here?? I'd let Israel and Japan, as well as Aus in, I wouldn't be surprised if Canada, maybe even the Uk were into that as well.

that export ban was put in place by some Democrat Congressman who was protecting the "porky" F-35, as the F-22 was by that stage fairly lean, the F-35 has lots of joint support, and thus lots to offer potential partners. Israel and Japan would have loved to have the F-22 and they are both on the "tip of the sword", that kind of firepower would keep the "wolves at bay" as well as allow both nations to have the "chops' to stand with the US against those totalitarian regimes that persecute both the Jew and the Gentiles.

and yes I do realize that a very substantial portion of Israel's defense budget starts right here in the US.

 

[Air Force Brat]

Well, there's level of risk that comes with modernizing the F-22A.

Even with a 5% GDP defense budget, Uncle Sam still has to pay for other priorities, such as the B-21, the F-35s, various unmanned program, recapitalizing the Army, and a 300+ ship USN (including possibly a 12th CVN).

I'd say the upgraded F-22 is more critical to the Joint defense than the B-21, any unmanned program, 300 ship Navy and your dream 12th CVN, and the Army upgrade, but who knows, maybe Trump will get out his own checkbook??? LOL