lockheed lockheed martin fifth generation single seat twin engine weather stealth tactical fighter aircraft developed united_states_air_force result program aircraft designed primarily air superiority fighter ground attack electronic warfare signals intelligence capabilities prime contractor built airframe weapons systems final assembly boeing provided wings aft fuselage integration training systems aircraft variously designated formally entered service december protracted development despite operational issues considers critical tactical air power says aircraft known projected fighter combination stealth aerodynamic performance awareness gives aircraft unprecedented air combat capabilities high cost aircraft lack clear air air missions delays russian chinese fighter programs ban exports development versatile led end production final tally operational production aircraft established delivered development origins developed requirement advanced tactical fighter new air superiority fighter replace eagle fighting falcon code named senior sky program influenced emerging worldwide threats including development soviet fighter aircraft advantage new technologies fighter design horizon including composite materials lightweight advanced flight control systems powerful propulsion systems stealth technology request proposals issued july contractor teams lockheed selected october undertake month demonstration phase culminating flight test technology prototypes design team produced prototype air vehicles engine options lockheed led team employed thrust enhanced increasing weight cost drove certain requirements development looking radars deleted dedicated red search track system downgraded multi color single color deleted space cooling provisions retained allow future addition components seat requirement downgraded fresh design existing flight test demonstration prototypes april secretary announced winner competition design considered faster aviation press speculated navy abandoned production prime contractor manufactured majority airframe performed final assembly georgia program partner provided additional airframe components integration training systems production split states increase congressional support production split contributed increased costs delays capabilities deferred post service upgrades reducing initial cost increasing total program cost production supported suppliers jobs design changes swept angle leading edge decreased vertical shifted decreased area improve pilot visibility canopy moved forward inches engine moved inches shapes wing trailing edges refined improve strength stealth characteristics increasing weight development caused slight reductions range aerodynamic performance engineering manufacturing development aircraft named unveiled georgia april flew september development team composed contractors won trophy american aviation prestigious award production years rate roughly month peak production originally envisioned ordering cost billion production beginning led secretary defense reduced aircraft beginning funding instability cut total reduced reduced operational aircraft despite preference multi year plan implemented save billion raise aircraft cost year program total cost projected billion distributed seven combat squadrons received billion contract increase order production extend manufacturing april assessed cost million aircraft billion invested development testing unit cost estimated million based production run aircraft estimated end production billion spent resulting total program cost billion million aircraft cost additional estimated million stated estimated cost million aircraft ban exports exported american federal law protect stealth technology high tech features customers fighters acquiring earlier designs fighting falcon newer lightning joint strike fighter contains technology designed cheaper flexible available export september congress upheld ban foreign sales despite ban defense authorization bill included provisions requiring prepare report costs feasibility export variant report effect export sales industry australian politicians defense commentators proposed australia attempt purchase instead planned citing known capabilities delays developmental royal_australian_air_force raaf determined unable perform strike close air support roles japanese government showed interest replacement fighter program japan air self defense force reportedly require fewer fighters mission obtained reducing engineering costs reported acquiring require increases defense budget historical percent end production japan chose december israel expressed interest eventually chose price production termination 2000s need debated rising costs lack relevant adversaries general united_states found demonstrated need investment opposition program expressed secretary defense deputy secretary defense senator john_mccain chairman senator program lost influential supporters forced secretary air_force chief staff air_force general congress passed defense spending bill funding continued production pentagon released million million additional aircraft raising total orders production aircraft leaving program hands administration november secretary defense stated relevant post cold war conflicts iraq afghanistan april new called ending production fiscal year leaving production aircraft july general vice chairman stated reasons supporting termination production included shifting resources allow fifth generation fighters service branches preserving production line maintain military electronic warfare capabilities boeing issues reliability availability raised concerns president obama threatened veto production senate voted july favor ending production house subsequently agreed production aircraft cap gates stated decision taken light capabilities set requirement aircraft lowering number major regional conflict preparations initiated study determine costs retaining future paper study estimated production building additional cost billion resulting million aircraft million higher cost stated production line cost million production documented illustrated electronic stored retained produce additional components limited production run reserve aircraft leading considerable care maintenance later attempts retrieve found containers russian chinese fighter developments fueled concern general head stated fleet inadequate secretary gates dismissed concern gates explained chinese fifth generation fighter developments accounted number set considerable advantage stealth aircraft delays december final completed test operational aircraft produced aircraft delivered april proposed legislation direct air_force conduct comprehensive assessment study costs associated resuming production aircraft defense secretary production halted cost billion direct funds ongoing irregular warfare operations iraq afghanistan pentagon noted air warfare systems russia china catching air superiority capabilities bill notes stated requirement initial program objectives aircraft require reviewing anticipated future air superiority capacity capability requirements estimated costs restart production measures addition identifying cost building aircraft report consider possibility prohibition export repealed previous estimates production placed figures billion including million non recurring start costs estimated unit cost million production run aircraft years lockheed proposed upgrading early training model combat coded block versions way increase numbers available deployment upgrades combat capable block aircraft flew upgrade program implemented enables aircraft employ joint direct attack munitions provides improved ground attack capability synthetic radar mapping radio direction finding electronic attack testing began upgraded aircraft delivered upgrade process focuses electronic warfare communications identification allow fully exploit missiles subsequent include adoption open platform air traffic control updates upgrades allow employ link reception transmission capability upgrade scheduled integrate weapons suite fleet planned block training block combat aircraft upgrade planned include new stores management system correct symbols improved control enable way communication platforms use gateway originally planned integration cut lack system maturity lockheed martin competing connect platforms maintaining stealth upgrades developed include red search track functionality missile launch integration helmet mounted system enable missile launches gains helmet mounted system use high capabilities march accelerated software portions completed january opened development integration contract billion budget november upgrade contract ceiling raised billion nearly billion allocated structural repairs achieve fleet availability rate achieved technology stealth applied update schedule slipped seven years instability requirements funding moved cut upgrade funding upgraded backup oxygen system software upgrades oxygen sensors address frequent oxygen issues operations faulty flight vest replaced altitude restrictions lifted distance restrictions lifted backup oxygen system installed april stated congressional testimony installation automatic backup oxygen systems fleet completed months designed lifespan years flight hours million structures program investigations upgrades extend useful lives long term expected superseded sixth generation jet fighter fielded design overview fifth generation fighter considered fourth generation stealth aircraft technology operational aircraft combine stealth fusion single weapons platform delta wings reverse sweep rear surfaces retractable landing gear flight control surfaces include leading trailing edge flaps vertical moving horizontal tails surfaces serve speed brakes aircraft dual engines closely spaced incorporate pitch axis thrust range degrees engine maximum thrust lbf class thrust weight ratio typical combat configuration nearly unity maximum military power maximum speed external stores estimated greater aircraft sustain flight fuel inefficient intercept targets aircraft lack speed pursue dependent aircraft lack fuel reach high operating altitude significant tactical advantage prior fighters use internal weapons bays permits aircraft maintain comparatively higher performance combat fighters lack aerodynamic drag external stores structure contains significant high strength materials withstand stress heat sustained flight respectively comprise aircraft structural weight highly speeds flight control system authority digital engine control aircraft highly departure resistant relaxed stability powerful thrust engines enable aircraft turn tightly perform high alpha angle attack maneuvers maneuver turn aircraft capable maintaining alpha having roll control aerodynamic performance fusion stealth work increased effectiveness altitude speed advanced active passive sensors allow aircraft spot targets considerable ranges increase weapons range altitude speed complement stealth ability increase aircraft ground defenses surface air missiles key include radar warning receiver infrared missile launch active array radar features sensors provide spherical infrared coverage passive radar blended wings fuselage round coverage program head described technically complex piece equipment aircraft range nmi exceeds radar cue radar emissions confined narrow beam elevation increase stealth depending detected threat defensive systems prompt pilot release according experts said passive detection system capable searching targets providing information radar lock radar features low active array track multiple targets weather conditions radar emissions focused enemy sensors electronic attack capability radar changes frequencies times second lower interception probability estimated range miles planned upgrades allow range miles narrow beams radar information processed common integrated capable processing billion instructions second process known fusion data radar sensors external systems filtered combined common view reducing pilot workload upgrading aircraft reportedly challenging highly integrated nature ability operate close battlefield gives aircraft threat detection identification capability comparative ability function mini radar powerful dedicated platforms designate targets allies determine friendly aircraft targeting aircraft radar system identify targets times quicker bus developed derived commercial bus system radar tested wireless data data second receiving speed far faster link system software million lines code majority involving processing radar data secretary blamed use cost delays military projects including reportedly raised doubts security systems combat effectiveness navy secretary considered safe citing age software cockpit glass cockpit digital flight instruments head display offers wide field view serves primary flight instrument information displayed color liquid crystal display panels primary flight controls force sensitive stick controller pair initially wanted implement direct voice input controls judged technically risky abandoned canopy dimensions approximately inches long inches wide inches tall weighs pounds integrated radio functionality signal processing systems separate hardware module reports inability communicate aircraft funding cuts affected integration voice communication possible data transfer integrated control panel system entering communications navigation data displays located display integrated caution advisory warning data communications navigation identification data serve stand flight instrumentation group fuel quantity indicator stand flight group displays artificial horizon basic instrument meteorological conditions primary multi function display located navigation situation assessment secondary multi function displays located tactical information stores management seat version aces advanced concept seat commonly aircraft center mounted control complex life support system includes board oxygen generation system protective pilot breathing anti valve controlling flow pressure pilot mask pilot developed advanced technology anti suit project protect chemical biological hazards cold water counter forces low pressure high altitudes provide thermal relief suspicions performance life support equipment raised including fatal crash armament internal weapons bays large bay fuselage smaller bays sides fuselage aft engine main bay accommodate launchers visual range missiles bay short range missiles launchers main bay replaced bomb racks carry bombs carrying armaments internally maintains aircraft stealth additional drag missile launches require bay doors open second hydraulic arms push missiles clear aircraft reduce vulnerability detection deploy missiles high speed flight carry air surface weapons bombs guidance self designate laser guided weapons internal air surface ordnance limited internally mounted cannon embedded right wing root muzzle covered retractable door maintain stealth radar projection cannon fire path displayed pilot head display high cruise speed altitude increase effective ranges munitions greater employment range prior platforms range extended introduction classified expected employed twice effective range legacy platforms testing dropped feet cruising striking moving target miles away typically carries weapons internally wings include rated handle accommodate carry external fuel tank holding air air missiles external fuel tanks use external stores aircraft stealth performance releasing stores external restore characteristics ordnance pod developed carry additional weapons stealth designed highly difficult detect track radar measures reduce radar cross section include airframe shaping alignment edges fixed geometry prevent line sight engine faces exterior view use radar material ram attention detail pilot helmets provide radar return designed decreased radio emissions infrared signature acoustic signature reduced visibility naked eye aircraft flat thrust reduces infrared emissions threat infrared heat seeking surface air air air missiles additional measures reduce infrared signature include special paint active cooling leading edges manage heat buildup flight compared previous stealth designs like reliant ram maintenance intensive susceptible adverse weather conditions unlike requires climate controlled undergo repairs flight line normal hangar features signature assessment system delivers warnings radar signature degraded repair exact radar cross section classified lockheed martin released information indicating certain angles equivalent radar reflection steel marble effectively maintaining stealth features decrease mission capable rate effectiveness stealth characteristics difficult gauge value restrictive measurement aircraft frontal area perspective static radar aircraft maneuvers completely different set angles surface area potentially increasing radar furthermore stealth radar materials chiefly effective high frequency radars usually found aircraft effects scattering resonance mean low frequency radars weather radars early warning radars likely detect physical size radars conspicuous susceptible low precision additionally faint radar contacts defenders aware stealth aircraft present reliably interception attack aircraft challenging according surprised iranian phantom attempting intercept american despite iran claim having military radar coverage operational history designation testing originally given unofficial lightning world war lockheed lightning fighter persisted mid-1990s officially named aircraft lightning later given aircraft briefly dubbed superstar september changed designation mimicking navy intended highlight planned ground attack capability amid debate aircraft role relevance designation reinstated december aircraft entered service flight testing began jet participate flight test program retired flight testing subsequently sent testing including live fire testing battle damage repair training testing upgrades maintenance trainers production delivered nevada january released report documented problem forward boom caused heat treating boom roughly specified potentially shortened life modifications implemented restore life august flight test squadron performed air air aircraft synthetic jet fuel wider effort qualify aircraft use fuel mix fischer process produced natural gas based fuel flew mixture derived introduction service december announced achieved alaska june simulated combat exercises downed adversaries losses exercises amassed kills losses air air combat loss red flag february supported strikes undertook close air support sorties superior numbers red force maintained air dominance sorties missed maintenance failures single judged lost defeated opposing force provided airborne electronic surveillance achieved operational capability december general officially declared integrated active duty fully operational followed integrated wing april rated excellent categories simulated kill ratio deployments fighter units frequently deployed okinawa japan february aircraft overseas deployment air base 27th fighter squadron flying hawaii experienced multiple software related system failures crossing international date line aircraft returned hawaii following tanker aircraft hours error resolved journey resumed early involved korean military drills november fighter squadron alaska performed interception russian bear bombers escorted bombers pair assigned 49th fighter wing operational new_mexico june support personnel reassigned reactivated secretary initially refused deploy middle_east type deployment region air base april rotating miles iran iranian defense minister referred deployment security threat march announced intercepted iranian phantom approached miles flying iranian coastline june deployed malaysia participate cope exercise conducted september performed type combat sorties american led intervention syria number aircraft dropped pound gps guided bombs targets vicinity combat operations planned continue future missions involve striking targets main role intelligence surveillance reconnaissance gathering january accounted percent air_force sorties operation inherent resolve general said performed deployment september july flew sorties syria dropping bombs locations june pair performed aircraft close air support mission receiving short notice request close proximity friendly forces late testing rapid deployment concept involving support proposed pilots goal type able set engage combat hours deployed germany august poland air base estonia september train nato allies maintenance training aircraft available missions time average rate early required hours maintenance flight hour total cost flight hour reduced lower pentagon requirement maintenance hours flight hour introduced mean time maintenance hours short required rose hours cost flight hour times fleet required maintenance man hours flight hour aircraft requires month long packaged maintenance plan flight hours stealth system including radar absorbing metallic skin account maintenance canopy redesigned original design lasted average hours instead required hours depot maintenance performed air logistics complex hill utah january reportedly maintained sortie rate flying tasked sorties zero kill ratio northern edge air air exercises alaska according lieutenant colonel wade squadron commander stealth robust earlier stealth aircraft sensitive weather wear tear rain caused shorts failures sophisticated electrical components posted guam reduce operating costs service life pilot training sorties performed flight adversary training budget cuts led demonstration flights halted resuming reported maintenance demands increased fleet aged stealth particularly demanding operational problems operational problems experienced caused fleet wide critically pilots experienced decreased mental status including losing consciousness reports instances pilots found decreased level memory loss landing pilots experienced lingering respiratory problems chronic symptoms include emotional changes number possible causes investigated including possible exposure chemical agents respiratory pressure suit malfunction effects oxygen delivery greater atmospheric concentrations oxygen supply problems include minor mechanical problems navigational software failures fleet grounded months resuming flight reports oxygen issues persisted expert panel recommended changes deal oxygen supply issues october awarded contract investigate breathing difficulties july pentagon concluded pressure valve flight worn high altitude flights carbon air filter likely sources like symptoms long distance flights resumed limited lower altitudes carbon filters changed different model reduce lung exposure carbon breathing anti valve pilot vest high maneuvers found vest intervals restricting pilot breathing board oxygen generating system unexpectedly reduced oxygen levels high maneuvers late awarded contracts install supplemental automatic oxygen backup system addition primary manual backup changes recommended received consideration reportedly considered installing brain wave monitors pilot helmets monitoring new backup oxygen generators filters installed aircraft symptoms attributed acceleration exacerbated high performance present solution condition presence particles ground crew deemed unrelated april distance altitude flight restrictions lifted determined breathing restrictions pilot responsible opposed issue oxygen provided variants pre production technology demonstration phase built single seat production version designated early 2000s planned seat variant canceled save development costs naval variant carrier borne variant variable sweep wings program replace program canceled called possibility naval variant deciding factor choice derivatives proposed medium range bomber projected carry small diameter bombs twice range maintaining stealth speed planned form appears canceled subsequent developments lieu larger bomber greater range multi axis tail aircraft planned experimental aircraft based enhanced thrust controls aerodynamic surface backup aircraft solely controlled thrust featuring elevators funding program halted operators united_states united_states_air_force operator ordered test operational production aircraft november production aircraft inventory 1st virginia 27th fighter squadron combat squadron began conversion december florida test evaluation squadron nevada nevada weapons squadron fighter wing florida fighter squadron squadron operate continues serve formal training unit california flight test squadron pacific air forces alaska fighter squadron fighter squadron 15th hawaii 19th fighter squadron active associate squadron associate virginia fighter squadron hawaii fighter squadron fighter wing associate unit known unit associate florida fighter squadron associate accidents april second crashed landing edwards test pilot escaped injury cause crash found flight control software error failed prevent pilot induced crash occurred takeoff december pilot ejected safely impact investigation revealed brief power engine prior flight caused flight control system malfunction consequently aircraft design corrected avoid problem following brief grounding operations resumed review march crashed miles northeast edwards test flight resulting death test pilot investigation found momentarily lost consciousness high maneuver ejected found low recover killed blunt force trauma aircraft speed investigation found design issues november crashed killing pilot captain restricted flying feet grounded investigation crash attributed bleed air system malfunction engine condition detected shutting accident review board ruled blame react properly engage emergency oxygen system widow sued claiming equipment defects later reached settlement ruling engagement handle emergency oxygen system redesigned system engage automatically engine failure february inspector general released report stating blaming facts sufficiently support conclusions stated stood ruling training mission crashed east november pilot ejected safely injuries reported ground investigation determined electrical wire ignited fluid hydraulic line causing fire damaged flight controls aircraft display display specifications data web site manufacturers data aviation week general characteristics crew length wingspan height wing area root tip weight loaded weight max takeoff weight powerplant pitch thrust dry thrust thrust fuel capacity internally external fuel tanks performance maximum speed altitude mph estimated mph range nmi external fuel tanks combat radius nmi nmi clean ferry range nmi service ceiling wing loading thrust weight maximum design load armament guns vulcan barrel cannon right wing root rounds air air mission air ground mission small diameter bombs wing stations fitted carry drop tanks weapons capacity radar miles targets estimated range missile launch radar warning receiver nmi detection range protection missiles notable appearances media
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor