| The USAF developed a requirement for a new air superiority fighter to replace the F- 15 Eagle. Two proposals were submitted with the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor being selected as the new Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF). The aircraft is constructed using 39% titanium, 24% composite material, 16% aluminum and 1% thermoplastic by weight. All these components contribute to the F-22 being a light weight, extremely maneuverable, extremely fast aircraft that uses stealth technology. The F-22 is also capable of ground attack, electronic warfare and signals intelligence. "The Fighting Eagles" (also known as "Black Falcons") The 27th Fighter Squadron is a squadron of the United States Air Force, currently part of the 1st Operations Group of the 1st Fighter Wing, and deployed at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. The unit was designated and re-designated numerous times before becoming the 27th Fighter Squadron Sept.1, 1991. The 27th took part in support of Operation Desert Storm based in Saudi Arabia. The 27th was the first operational squadron to fly the F-15 Eagle starting in 1976. Next in 2005 the 27th became the first operational F-22 squadron with a fleet of 40 aircraft. Elmendorff AFB, Alaska, became the second in August 2007 and Holloman AFB, New Mexico the third in June 2008. Operational Raptors will also be based at Hickam AFB Hawaii. Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor specifications First flight - September 7, 1997 Planned Production - 750 aircraft initial program objective Altered plan in 1990 - 648 aircraft Altered plan in 1994 - 442 aircraft In 1997 Department of Defense report – 339 aircraft In 2006 the Pentagon wanted -183 aircraft 2008 approval for 4 additional aircraft bringing the total to 187 Number built as of August 2009 - 145 (187 planned) Role - Air superiority fighter Crew – (1) pilot Performance Engines – (2) Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 engines producing 35,000 lbst of thrust Speed - Mach 1.8 (super cruise: Mach 1.5) G Limit - +9 G Ceiling - 60,000 ft (18,290 m) The F-22 and other fighters can reach this altitude, but only the F-22 can perform tactical maneuvers at this level, which is about twice the altitude at which other jets can perform tactical maneuvers. Dimensions Length - 62.08 ft (18.90 m) Height -16.67 ft (5.08 m) Wingspan - 44.5 ft (13.56 m) Wing Area - 840 sq ft (78.04 sq m) Horizontal Tail-span - 29 ft (8.84 m) Weights Empty Weight - 31,670 lb (14,365 kg) Maximum Takeoff Weight - 60,000 lb (27,000 kg) Armament Internal (1) 20mm Cannon (4) AIM-9 Sidewinders (side weapon bays) (4) AIM-120A AMRAAM (internal ventral bay) (6) AIM-120Cs (internal ventral bay) (6) GBU-32 JDAM PGMs (internal ventral bay) (8) GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs (250lbs ea) External (4) under-wing hard-points with a maximum of 5,000lbs (2,270kg) of mission- specific weaponry or fuel drop-tanks. |

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series (Jet Powered) HA2801 - Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor 27th Squadron, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, May 12, 2005 |

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