F-22A Raptor Myths

F-22

Share this Story

More »

Advertisement

  • The F-22 Raptor lacks a secure, high-speed data link capable of sharing the data it collects from offboard sensors and platforms, or with other systems across the battlespace – The F-22 presently has several options for sharing of data with Raptors and other offboard platforms. These include the secure/Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) Intra-Flight Data Link for data exchanges between F-22s, and Raptors can also receive data streams from offboard sensors aboard aircraft like the E-3 Sentry, E-8 Joint STARS, and RC-135 Rivet Joint through a Joint Tactical Data System receiver. In addition, recent tests using the F-22’s APG-77 Active Electronically Steered Array radar as a high capacity, two-way data link with satellites and other aircraft have proven promising. Also under development is an F-22 version of the Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) terminal, which will provide secure/LPI data exchanges with MADL-equipped F-35 Lightning II and B-2A Spirit aircraft, other legacy USAF platforms, and joint/allied ground, air, and naval systems.7
  • No Better Than What We Already Have – The Raptor is a vastly superior fighter aircraft to anything else in the Air Force inventory or under development in any other air force in the world. Compared with the legacy F-15C/D, the F-22A has twice the cruise speed, a radar signature on the order of the B-2A Spirit, and a vastly superior radar/sensor suite. Also, the average fleet age of F-15 Eagles averages 26 years, while the F-22 force has an average age of only 2 years. Finally, the F-15 force is regularly suffering structural problems and fatigue failures, which are increasing operations and maintenance costs and causing early retirement of Eagle airframes. This means that something will have to be procured to make up for the shortcomings in numbers of F-15s, and presently the only replacement for the Eagle is the F-22A Raptor.8

    • References

    1. The published flyaway cost for the Lot 7 run of 20 F-22A aircraft ordered in 2007 as part of the present multi-year procurement can be found at: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/f-22-cost.htm.
    2. The F-35 Cost data is drawn from Table 3 on Page 15 of GAO Publication GAO-09-711T, entitled JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER: Strong Risk Management Essential as Program Enters Most Challenging Phase, issued on May 20th, 2009. The publication can be accessed and downloaded at: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09711t.pdf.
    3. The evolution of the Advanced Tactical Fighter requirement of the 1980s into the present-day F-22A Raptor is elegantly described in: Advanced Tactical Fighter to F-22 Raptor: Origins of the 21st Century Air Dominance Fighter by David C. Aronstein, Michael J. Hirschberg, and Albert C. Piccirillo, American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics, Arlington, VA, 1998.
    4. The relative qualities, weapons loads, and other features of the F-22A and F-35A are described in detail in the CBO study, ALTERNATIVES FOR MODERNIZING U.S. FIGHTER FORCES, issued on May 13th, 2009. It can be accessed and downloaded at: http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/101xx/doc10113/05-13-FighterForces.pdf.
    5. See: Advanced Tactical Fighter to F-22 Raptor: Origins of the 21st Century Air Dominance Fighter by David C. Aronstein, Michael J. Hirschberg, and Albert C. Piccirillo, American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics, Arlington, VA, 1998.
    6. See: ALTERNATIVES FOR MODERNIZING U.S. FIGHTER FORCES, issued on May 13th, 2009. It can be accessed and downloaded at: http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/101xx/doc10113/05-13-FighterForces.pdf.
    7. Probably the best short discussion of current data link systems and alternatives for the Raptor are described in the article: F-22 and F-35 Suffer From Network Gaps by Bill Sweetman, Aviation Week and Space Technology, December 11th, 2007. Available at: http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=dti&id=news/DTINETS.xml&headline=F-22 and F-35 Suffer From Network Gaps
    8. Drawn from an interview by John D. Gresham with Lieutenant General David Deptula, USAF at his office in the Pentagon in August 2008.
    « Prev page 1 2

    Share this Story

    More »

    Related Stories

    No Comments

    (Add your comment)

    John Madden

    2:53 PM August 30, 2009

    What an amazing aircraft!

    Adam Longaker

    5:29 PM November 3, 2009

    I am glad to see that we finally have a fighter that is specifically designed with today’s modern wars in mind. While the days of air to air combat are on hold for us, today’s enemy presents unique challenges to our military and the F-35 will be better suited to face these challenges than any aircraft currently in production.

    The Year In Defense | F-22s Fly “Bittersweet” Final Missions at Holloman Air Force Base

    12:12 PM August 5, 2010

    [...] still focused on the F-22’s advanced capabilities even after Defense Secretary Robert Gates persuaded Congress and industry to reduce the total “buy” to just 187 [...]

    Leave a Comment