:: Holloman on track to get ::

| Thursday September 9, 2010

Holloman on track to get

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The 49th Fighter Wing says southern New Mexico's Holloman Air Force Base is on track to receive 40 F-22 Raptors.

19-04-2009 - HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Robert Gates recommended the Pentagon quit buying F-22s beyond the 187 already planned.

He says he wants to gear defense to the smaller, lower-tech battlefields the military faces now and is likely to confront in the coming years.

Public affairs officers at the Pentagon and Holloman say it's premature to discuss Gates' recommendation.

A Holloman spokeswoman, 2nd Lt. Michele Rollins, says the base has seven F-22A Raptors and is slated to receive 40 by the end of 2010.

Another spokesman, Arlan Ponder, says Holloman's 40 Raptors are included in the 187 aircraft already planned.

Source: krqe.com
Photo: U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech Sgt. Chris Flahive

COMMENTS:

This SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PJ | posted on Apr 28, 2009 @ 17:05

Why this sucks

ty | posted on Apr 29, 2009 @ 20:14

Your always going to need F-22s because there is never a way to know what is going to happen next. Ok let me put it this way do you want to have it on your shoulders when another attack similar to Pearl Harbor happens and we couldn't do anything because we didn't have enough F-22s? I don't think so

shane | posted on May 01, 2009 @ 13:55

We need F-22s

Super S | posted on May 02, 2009 @ 08:24

U should let them build more F-22 may be the other countrys will leave the USA alone and if they need the support send them that what the US dollar paying the for

Sam | posted on May 05, 2009 @ 23:22

those planes are bad .!!

aj | posted on May 06, 2009 @ 21:19

If we were to sale the raptor to a country like Japan, it probably mean the end of having US forces stationed there, seeing that Japan or any other country with raptors could stand up for it's self with ease. Just a thought.

cs | posted on May 08, 2009 @ 00:08

Gates and Obama should open their eyes! Russia has just tested their new fighter again and claims it is the best. If Russia sells that plane to the enemy that will hurt our defenses and not have the equiptment to stop them!

We need a change line Regan to set the USA straight on defense, spending, taxes and everything else will fall into place. By cutting the F-22 production Obama and Gates cut 90,000 jobs!!!

Andy Moyer | posted on May 09, 2009 @ 06:49

dont understand the logic of Sec. gates to cancel the F-22A. it is the best fighter in the world which can do air to air and can drop bombs right on Sec. Gates laps. He want to replace with F-35 which is poor in as a dogfighter! the F-22 is already in production and the F-35 is only 2% TESTED and has a long waqy to go! his reason is that no fighter will not match it! well, there is no such thing a fair fight in war if thats your thinking your tactic suck! the objet of war is not to die for your country, but let the other bastard die for his country, its mean DOMINATE!

russia and china is developing their own 5th generation fighter! never UNDERESTIMATE your, which you did last time in 1942!

nonito antonio cabato | posted on May 11, 2009 @ 09:10

i think that Gates wants to replace the Raptor with the Lightning II jsut because it doesent need an Aircraft carrier to lift off, (witch is not manditory for flight, it just looks cool) if you equiped the Raptor with weapon bays on the wings, it would have a much higher payload than the Lightning II. and in addition, more training would be required for the F-35, and right now, we have pilots in the air in F-22's. and with hidden weapon bays, in a dogfight, your enemy would never know how much, or if any, missiles where on board. and if that in formation where to be relayed back to an Enemy HQ (but with ACE pilots flying f-22's i dont see that plane ever making it home) than future pilots would avoid dogfights with them to begin with... or at least i would.
so Gates, or Obama, if you read this... please do alot of consideration before makin a final decision... cuz if you have the best stuff, all that our enemy can do, is plan and test to try and find something better... and with a plane like the Raptor, it will take quite some time, perhaps all the time that Lockheed claims the F-35 would stay in service (2010-2030)

Ben Davies | posted on May 11, 2009 @ 19:17

I DO CERTAINLY AGREE THAT WE SHOULD ALWAY'S HAVE SUCH STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY.THAT IS ALWAY'S LIGHT YEARS AHEAD OF ANYBODY ELSE.THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO ENSURE THE PEACE AND SAFETY OF OUR BELOVED NATION.BY PUTTING THE FEAR OF GOD AGAINST THEM,WHO WOULD OPPOSE OUR WAY OF LIFE. S.L.C.

STEVEN LLOYD CLARK | posted on May 12, 2009 @ 16:16

dont understand the logic of your politician to sell the F-22 to your allies, from what i read that the raptor is for the u.s. airforce only the purpose to build advance fighter is to have a state of the art plane for your airforce only that idiotic thinking of your politician you will pay bloody price for mistake that you make decision today

the purpose of the F-22 is to equip the U.S. AIR FORCE with the most advance fighter jet in the world so other nation will not dare to make war on you the disadvantage of the F-35, is that most of the parts are not made in th USA, just imagine if one of those nation will throw a monkey wrench on the F-35 production THINK HARD OF THE CONSEQUENCE

build the best fighter for your ccountry only

nonito antonio cabato | posted on May 18, 2009 @ 06:17

el f-22 raptor es el mejor soy andres de 9 años y yo voy a ser un piloto de f-22 raptor el mejor avion del mundo y aun que sea invisible al radar es un avion sorprendentey es mi avon favorito

andres umbria | posted on May 21, 2009 @ 23:20

el f-22 raptor es el mejor soy andres de 9 años y yo voy a ser un piloto de f-22 raptor el mejor avion del mundo y aun que sea invisible al radar es un avion sorprendentey es mi avon favorito

andres umbria | posted on May 21, 2009 @ 23:26

That is the dumbest damn thing you could do! The F/A 22 is THE BEST fighter plane anyone has. I dont give a crap what russia says about their planes. When it comes down to it the F/A 22 blows them out of the sky every time.

you will never know | posted on May 29, 2009 @ 02:13

your defense secretary is a stupid defense secretary to cancel the F-22, you dont cancel the F-22 when it is already in production. that gate is an idiot for the reason to cancel it. you spend so much in research, he said it doesnt use you in today war idiot you use there attack helicopter and cobras and warthog close air support airctaft! you leave the best for the biggest baddest bear and dragon in the planet. he said is an overmatch plane, its not gaddamm game up there in the sky its WIN OR DIE

now your own politician want to sell it to japan, that an idiotic plan, the job of the defense secretary is to see to it that the US AIR FORCE HAS THE BEST FIGHTERJET IN THE SKY and that the F-22A, its been proven in the alaska exercise and in red flag

you want to experience the bitter memories after pearl harbor where the zeros is shooting down your plane likes flies. there an old joke during that time " dont tangle with the zeros you be blown out the sky " his purpose is see to it that you have a first rate fighter plane and the othr have second rate! idiot gat

nonito antonio cabato | posted on Jun 04, 2009 @ 05:28

hola soy yo andres umbria de 9 años el f-22 raptor es un avion que me sorprende y ademas de ser mi avion favorito es una maquina que es velos aguil y cargado con armas como :la ametralladora los misiles aim 9x sidewinder y el aim 120 es sorprendente un avion invisible al radar y unos de los peores enemigos del f-22 raptor son : el sukhoi su-47 el rafale el sukhoi su-27 y grasias por terner un avion tan avanzado como el f-22 raptor y el f-35lightning

andres umbria | posted on Jun 05, 2009 @ 06:23

soy andres de nuevo pero que sigan asiendo aviones como el f-22 raptor y el f-35 lightning

andres umbria | posted on Jun 05, 2009 @ 06:26

You are all dumb. I agree that the F-22 is awesome and a much needed .et for the Air Force, but I think the Sec Def has a point. The military doesn't get to have everything it wants and for good reason. Every dollar spent on defense is a dollar we can't spend on education, energy, transportaion, health care. Yes it creates jobs, but I would rather have 90,000 jobs creating solar panels and roads, educating children, and curing disease than building tools of distruction. Granted defense in necessary and important, but I'm saying we should spend the mininum necessary to guanrantee the safety of American citizens and our interests to a reasonable degree. What consitutes reasonable? That is what we pay the Sec Def to decide so you should probably listen to him when he says we are safe with X number of F-22s.
His reasoning as I understand it, is based on an understanding of the specific role of the F-22, which is acheiving air superiority in the innitial conflict phases before the destruction of enemy air defense and radar, and a more informed view of the threat we face now and in the future. The F-22 is extreemly good at stealth air-to-air operations because that's what it was designed for but it is very expensive and other jobs like air-to-ground and sustained air campaigns are more cost effectively acheived by the F-35 which was designed as a cheap and effective multi role aircraft. As for the threat, again I defer to the judgment of the Sec Def. In his judgment, which is much better informed than anyone else on this message board, the air-to-air threat does not justify the maintenance of a huge fleet of super expensive 3rd generation stealth fighters. We will most certainly leave the option open to restart manufacturing if the threat level justifies it, but for now the administration is betting that we wont and trying to save you and I a few billion dollars. A thank you might not be entirely out of line.

Chris | posted on Jun 05, 2009 @ 17:48

el f-22 es el mejor avion para mi

andres umbria | posted on Jun 07, 2009 @ 22:00

i am sorry to say but chris is a misguided liberal who should stay out of stategic military planning

John Smith | posted on Jun 09, 2009 @ 08:52

Good points Chris - I'm not convinced the F22 is all its cracked up to be. Many US allies seem to be purchasing F35's - there must be something about this aircraft that we don't all know. I completely agree with your point about why build a strike capability of aircraft that won't be used in modern day theatres. There are enough F22s in circulation now to test and maintain training capability and if the need arises then up the production. If anyone has noticed the largest production of combat aircraft are currently unmanned aerial vehicles. The cost in aircraft is training of the pilots - next time there is a serious conflict I would be very surprised whether manned aircraft like F22's would even be even relevant...

Gaz | posted on Jun 12, 2009 @ 14:58

When in war men always fight. I would be honestly amazed if there was ever a major conflict fought completely without manned machines. The job of the F-22 as I understand it is to allow F-35s to survive in the combat zone. If you cannot establish complete air superiority over an enemy, you doom yourself to having far more casualties.

An F-35 is only worth as far as it can fly safely.

Konrad | posted on Jun 15, 2009 @ 22:16

Assuming that the F-22 capabilities are as advanced as stated, it should replace all air combat jets that the Air Force currently operates. I don't know the number; but it must be more than 187. I would think that there should be at least 374 as I envision the stationing situations around the world.

danielmparker | posted on Jun 17, 2009 @ 16:49

Obviously this is the best ATF in the air. Didn't "we" pit one against 10 F18's and it shot them all down before they were aware of a threat ? We are the most powerful country in the world , and the most technilogically advanced. The Raptor plays a relatively small part in our arsenol. I personnally love it to death and am very proud of it. How many we need and want are quite different. We can say on paper we have 20,000 and actually have 20. The point is everybody knows we've got em. We retired the SR-71 , you know for damn sure theres something better up our Top Secret sleeves.

DJG | posted on Jun 20, 2009 @ 08:15

Chris,
agree in general that more money should be spent on green energy (for environment, and it would as well prevent any war for fuel ...), curing diseases, education etc ...
Unfortunately I don't think that dollars not spent on the F22 will go there, but just to other defence projects (as the F35).
In my opinion, more F22's might even save total defense spendings, as the F22 will give much more value for it's money than f.eg. F35 (which by the way might end up costing not that much less than F22 !! check on price increases already announced ..). Both F22 and F35 use stealth (but F35 is significantly less stealthy than F22),and if whatever enemy finds a way to take away the stealth, the F22 will still remain a 1st cl. fighter, the F35 a rather poor performer .. for a top fighter as Mig29 or Sukhoi 27/30/35 : a sitting duck ... (better radar systems for sure already under development, Infra red systems already available on many Russian and European fighters as f.eg. Typhoon which is purchased by Saudi Arabia ...!, US fighters being retrofitted f.eg. F18). Never underestimate your possible enemy : as Eastern Germany became unified with the West, their Mig 29's were put against the 'more modern' US F-16's, but unfortunately the Mig 29's slaughtered the F16's in dogfights (Joint Helmet Mounted Sights and better IR-missiles on Mig 29, these now been retrofitted to western fighters .. :-)) ). Latest Sukhoi's equipped with their best beyond visual range missiles are not match for any Western fighter except F22 (as long as the stealt advantage) and Typhoon when Meteor BVR becomes active. F22's with stealth intact have a chance to win, but not without.... As history has proven, Russian defence industry is capable of bringing new fighters to the table that can not only match but defeat current US fighters... and even the F22 is a current fighter ! If you are in budget constraints (as is the case), would you really be prepared to spend more dollars on attack-optimised aircraft than on aircraft that are more capable for defending your homeland in the first place ? Even in the offensive role, first task is to make sure ennemy's fighters can not touch you, for this too you will need the best plane available or you risk your premier fighters to be of inferior quality and being destroyed, after which they will easily continue eliminating your attack aircraft ... With air superiority intact, it doesn't even matter anymore if your attack aircraft are 1st or 2 nd cl. : they will do their job, but without air superiority, it also doesn't matter if your attack aircraft are 1st or 2nd cl. : they will be destroyed anyway. The US 'd better make sure their premier fighter remains the world's premier fighter and even spend money on improving it... and spend less money on the attack aircraft (which might even continue being improved F16, F18, A10 etc : as long as air superiority is intact, that doesn't matter and as such, a lot of money can be saved on this kind of fighters !).
Gaz : many US allies want to buy the F35 : correct, but take into account they are not allowed to buy the F22. Furthermore, in case of a serious conflict with Russia or China, you might not have the possibility to increase production. US so far had the benefit of the homeland not being harmed, that might be different ....

Bruno | posted on Jun 22, 2009 @ 13:50

the armed services committe, voted to fund 12 more F22s but the white house has threatened a veto.

If the white house does veto, the showdown between obama,gates and congress over this plane could drag on.

BTW I favor more raptor funding.

cs | posted on Jun 25, 2009 @ 16:58

HEADS UP, I HEARD THAT SOME PUNKASS LOCKHEED MARTIN OFFICAL SAID THE F22 STEALTH TECH IS DEFECTIVE. IF IT'S SO DEFECTIVE THEN HOW COME IT'S BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL IN WARGAMES. I STRONGLY URGE CONGRESS NOT TO FALL FOR THIS BOLD FACE LIE.
I'M WILLING TO BET THAT OBAMA AND OR GATES PROBABLY COAXED THE GUY INTO SAYING THIS SHIT.

cs | posted on Jun 30, 2009 @ 15:28

DUUDEs!
Gates is wrong!! bloody hell!
we need F-22 for future protection, say russia manages to perfect stealth technology and invades the U.S.A.
1. you wont see them coming
2. if you do most your planes would get shot down because they dont have stealth capabilities and the missles wont lock on because they cant see them on radar and the only ones that will lock on are old missles than are modified to find small glitches in the radar thingy. Like how the serbs managed to shoot down the F-117.
3. Only chance U.S.A really has is the F-22 and F-35
and if u dont have those, you can kiss the airforce bii bii.
why? because most non stealth planes would get shot down and missile sites destoryed and then the bombers come in and bomb the runway making it inactive.

Also the F-22 very inspires children. heck
im only 14 and i wanted to be a f-22 pilot since the second i saw that plane. Why cause its soooo dammm AMAAZZINNGG!!!!

Jackson | posted on Jul 02, 2009 @ 15:48

GATES is dum and stupid!
why stop production of F-22?
over all the F-22 is better than the Joinstriker.
Its faster,more manuverable and stealthyer.
Sure its costs a tad bit more but its well worth it.
What if u stopp and have 187 F-22 fighters and 500 F-35s??
then Russia decides to go to war?
1. it probably would have stealth capabilites and when they perfect it, they are going to go for a full scale manufacturing process,churning out 100s of them. All with the same capabilites as the F-22 or better and normal fighters at the moment dont even stand a chance.
Why??? they dont have stealth capabilities and in a fight they would losee soo badly because the enemy stealth fighers gets to pick where and when to start the fight and finish it off.
2. missle wont lock on that well because they also use radar to track their targets and if their invisable, thier not there.
3. No f-22= lost war really. F-35 just cut it it has limits but so does the F-22 but the F-22 limits are far higher than the F-35 soo its stands a better chance of survival!!; wat if they decide to invade with stealth fighers??? they would take out the airforce primarily because they pose the most threat and then the rest and airforce can hold off only for a shot period of time with non stealthy aircraft.
4. F-22 is INSPIRING!!!! im only 14 but i want to be a f-22 pilot and stoping the production only gonna kill ma dream and make it harder for me to get it. I wanted to be a pilot since i was 3 and a f-22 pilot since i was 10 when i first saw it!
its a AWSOME PLANE!!

Jackson | posted on Jul 02, 2009 @ 16:02

Sir:

We have peace right now except for wars that we ourselves have started. We should stay firmly on the path of peace. America does not need to rule the world; empires come and go. This is a good moment to build down our nuclear warheads and then build down our military infrastructure from top to bottom. It is costing us dearly and getting us little.

The untold billions going into "defense" year after year would reap a much better harvest if they were put into education, health, and a genuine rebuilding of our great nation.

We are struggling with a bad economy. We are learning out all over again that wars don't accomplish much beyond death and destruction and hatred.

Obama and Gates are right about cutting back on F22s.

edward rapp | posted on Jul 14, 2009 @ 16:28

we need the f22 raptors it we stop getting them who knows what could happen and im 15 and it is my dream to be an airforce pilot but the only fighter jet i will fly will be the f-22 raptor

david | posted on Jul 20, 2009 @ 16:03

American's only think on war and guns, guns, guns!!!

There is no war with russia and there will be no war with them! Why you think alway's on war?? Are YOU in war? Is America in the last 50 years attacked by another country, anytime???

No!

Dennis | posted on Jul 21, 2009 @ 21:15

I think most of the people writing on this board kind of forget that war is not won just by air superiority alone. Other factors such as ground presence and sustainability (logistics, fresh troops, local support, domestic support, viable economy back home) are also prime requisites for a definitive victory (like in Afghan where US has air superiority but poor ground presence). Hence a war could be won with things other than just air superiority and it is up to the policymakers to determine, analyze, and finally come up with the best war grand strategy in preparing for a threat. The best strategy must be effective AND efficient AND sustainable. Plus, different oppositions mean different strategies, but one must have a grand strategy that encomp.es all threats and scenarios.
If Gates believed that Raptors money should go somewhere else then surely that decision was made with consideration of the most current grand defense strategy.
Yes, Russia and China are developing their airforce but let us not forget that they are putting more money into their army and navy too.
And for all of you youngsters upset of not being able to fly the Raptor, come on grow up! Everybody wants to fly what they believe is the best plane in the world (or drive what they believe is the best car on the planet), but you don't always get what you want in life:).. and by the time you can fly planes, surely better fighterjets will emerge or even unmanned drones would take over (saving pilot lives).
Again everything is up to how the policymakers .ess the level of threat in the future and how to best response to it. Paranoia and the idea that all wars are won simply by brute alone do not contribute to the formulation of an excellent defense grand strategy.

former_air_jock | posted on Jul 22, 2009 @ 10:12

Relax; the F-22 is not "canceled." They're reducing the order to 187 units. While you argue that we "need" the F-22s, in reality it hasn't been used in any operations in the Iraq or Afganistan. Priorities change so the U.S. defense strategy needs to adapt to changing times. It's true 90,000+ people might not be working on the F-22 production anymore, but that doesn't mean there won't be other projects in need of engineers, scientists, and .embly line workers. Bottom line: the U.S. does dominate the air. We need to allocate spending else where to develop vehicles, weapons, and equipment that can make a bigger difference and save lives on the ground and in the frontlines.

Knight Rider | posted on Jul 24, 2009 @ 19:03

Why isn't anyone talking about the fact that Russia developed technology that will recognize the new upcoming F 35 but cannot locate or bring down a F 22. Russia could sell this technology to just about anyone. The F 22 is the plane to keep us securest.

Tens of thousands of jobs will be impacted across the country will the discontinuance of this highly complex plane.

We should keep the F-22 program going.

National Security | posted on Jul 30, 2009 @ 17:22

Why are Americans so paranoid? There really is no possibillity of China or Russia attacking the states, No one wants to fight a war with you. The F22 is a marvellous feat of technology for sure I love this plane but it's also m.ively expensive. America is in a such a poor economic state right now the F22 cannot reasonably be justified.

Phoenix | posted on Aug 07, 2009 @ 08:50

why don't you post recent news?

kevin | posted on Aug 10, 2009 @ 23:38

We should keep building them becaseu we dont the future of battlefields to come.

B.T. | posted on Aug 19, 2009 @ 06:05

I wonder how many of the pro F-22 postings here have a financial interest in the continuation of the program?

Kringle | posted on Sep 08, 2009 @ 18:15

I wonder how many of the pro F-22 postings here have a financial interest in the continuation of the program?

Kringle | posted on Sep 08, 2009 @ 18:16

Kringle,
my only posting is the one as of June 22nd and at leas I have
no financial interest at all (sind I am a belgian citizen :-)) )

but your question can be as well : I wonder how many of the contra F-22 postings have a financial interest in the continuation of the F-35 program ? :-)

Bruno | posted on Sep 09, 2009 @ 12:59

i just wish i was younger to fly it.
c

carlos pacheco | posted on Sep 13, 2009 @ 02:39

Contact your congressmen! Do something. We need more F-22s. It is fact. Gates "one airframe for everything" strategy is going to get good men killed. The USAF said they needed 380+ Raptors MINIMUM, so why don't we listen to the people in charge of the damned Air Force? We should build more than that number to ensure the USAF can achieve air-superiority and deliver effective ground support in any scenario.

The USAF should built a fleet of 600 F-22s, 1400 F-35As, and 150 FB-23s, plus spares for attrition losses.

PissedOff | posted on Sep 20, 2009 @ 08:19

this aircraft suck like... really bad

suck as aircraft | posted on Sep 22, 2009 @ 08:40

this is the best thing i ever seen !!!!
[edit: please don't do that again Dean]

dean girbus | posted on Sep 25, 2009 @ 23:57

hello
tanks for your web
any info
in your web

fahad mohammadi | posted on Sep 26, 2009 @ 16:33

I think the F22 should NEVER be sold to our allies like Japan! EVER! The F22 is a statement-Don't mess with the U.S.
Japan is an UNTRUSTABLE country with stupid, greedy, and power hungry politicians. If Japan wants high-tech aircraft, sell them the F-35 WITHOUT the high-tech radar. Japan or any other American ally have American bases within their country's borders and are already protected by American forces. Who knows who will be trusted in the future!
As an American Living in Japan for more than 20 years, I know not to trust Japanese people!!! They will do anything to save their own people but if your a foreigner then you can kiss your a55 goodbye!

Just my 2cents

Goofy | posted on Sep 27, 2009 @ 14:17

Thank you Mr. Gates. The f-22 is the best jet ever invented, but we don't need it for our current conflicts. please start using cheaper uavs and other things to accomplish our goaLS. BRING THESE PUPPIES OUT WHEN WE NEED THEM....... alaska guy

rmak | posted on Oct 04, 2009 @ 07:43

I'll admit up front i'm a conservative that believes in military power, but these planes are overqualified for our current conflicts. I am bothered however that certain groups want to get rid of them because of that. We should develope the best offense weapons we can, because eventually we'll need them, but we also need to invest in technologies that keep our brothers safe on the ground right now. These planes great as hell, and when i see one take off i'm proud, but they are the techonology that keeps my friend safe in afghghanistan and i think there are others that are more important

rmak | posted on Oct 04, 2009 @ 07:53

Although I haven't read all these aforementioned commentaries, but most of them, I have come to wonder if most of you think outwards or even look out what's surrounding you. Amercian citizens should stop thinking they're the centre of the universe!
Although this aircarft is top of the range, in superiority and advanced technology, it may present failure which haven't been herad of yet. Should I remind you the F117 that was said to be the first fully stealthfighter in the world used in the first Iraqi war?! And how did the French manage to track it on their screens?! They did! Oh yes you could say the French (we know the story). But at least, French are still allies, whatever politics of the moment. The French gov. cannot save that much money to develop such a stealthy aircraft (too cost-expensive) and came out with one of the best (cl.ical and semi-stealthy) Rafale. Whatever good it may be, that remains to be seen in real combat!
But what the point in arguing about what is good and what plane is the best, US or Russian, French or Chinese or European (Typhoon)...
I think your Sec. of Def. knows the answer; if a world conflict comes up, we all know it could just finish as quickly as it began... So what would be the use of stealth aircraft? None, of course... So why spending so much money for no victory§ I concede the US strike forces can deal a hell of damage, but in a nuclear cnflict, there's no victory, but annihilation...
So maybe those fighters are the best, but see my point, they're useless.

Hugues | posted on Oct 08, 2009 @ 00:50

muy burn avion. gracias lockeed martin!!!!

angel | posted on Oct 11, 2009 @ 20:26

sigh, read most of the comments, a lot of valid points.my opinion, can't back it up, is this is all politics. It goes back to the Bush years, Obama just makes it tougher, The cost in the competition between the yf22 and the yf23 was staggering. One side lost big bucks.

I 'believe" the purpose of the joint tactical fighter project was to spread development costs out amoung the "allies".

Thus saving them their costs and reducing ours. Trouble is, there is no way we would give up our top line tech to ANYONE, ergo, an upgraded version of an f16 tweeked with multi-role capability.

Naturally, the allies would say why buy a 35 when your 22, in almost every role is superior. Handling? Well, we will only build a few to agument our inventory rather than replace (30 year old ) f15s...

Per web site data, the initial production cost of the f35 is 200 mil then drops to 100mil later. F22 costs 141mil per. (both excludes developmental costs).

Now we aren't even going to sell a wound down version, which was in the works, to allies yet Gates says the 22 is obsolete.LOL.

The f22 could even replace, or at least suppliment awacs duty. Having the capability of taking off under 1000ft means you could park em on a nimitz cl. carrier, put the bow in the wind, flank speed her, and "pull a Mitchell" off a carrier!!!

Ok thats stretches the envelope a bit, but it could be done.

The Air Force stated repeatedly, that it would rather have the 22s and cut the 35s down.

Bottem line? Politicis, both parties, rather than common sense. No, its not needed in Iraq or afganistan, BUT, with f22s in munbers in our inventory, the deterence factor to anyone who even thinks about taking advantage more than justifies the cost.

The 22 was designed for upgrades and should last as long as the magnificent f15.

A pox on all of them!

Dan Kuyek | posted on Oct 19, 2009 @ 22:38

hola es andres umbria de 10 años ya e descuvierto mas del raptor y hay un nuevo armemento del f-22 raptor su armamento es : un cannon de 20 mm M61A2 el misil aim-120c amraam y la mejora del amraam es el aim-120d amraam y el aim-9 sidewinder el aim-132 asraam su visor en el casco o hmd y siempre mejorara la tecnologia del raptor

andres umbria | posted on Oct 26, 2009 @ 19:15

i think we should get 750 f-22s because if we did we woud be able to pone any contry that fd with us

ej | posted on Nov 01, 2009 @ 03:24

Starscream!

Dec epticon64 | posted on Nov 03, 2009 @ 16:37

Let's take it for what it's worth and accept that the F-22A will be capped at 187. There's little to nothing we can do, especially given this administration.

IMO, stealth should not be an over-arching philosophy, but applied as it was during Gulf Storm: one facet of air superiority, complemented by more numerous less-than-stealthy jets. You've got to admit the F-22 and F-35 are prohibitively expensive. And when they burn they release a lot of noxious toxins.

Perhaps, instead of trying to make all of our fighter jets stealthy, we could look into the F-15SE (Silent Eagle), or develop other 4.5 gen fighters to replace our current F-15, F-16 flight lines.

Michael | posted on Nov 11, 2009 @ 23:52

I think the U.S. has to be careful and upgrade the F22 as competion gets better. As it is the new Russian SU-47 if really sweet and high tech and probably could take out the f22if it were 2 on 1 against the raptor.

Not Sure | posted on Nov 12, 2009 @ 03:52

In the field of technology the US needs to maintain its lead ,hence it needs to spend R&D on advanced programs in all areas. But for the forseeable future it needs to produce the kind of materiel to equip and train its military manpower, that is appropriate to snuffing out quickly,and at minimum cost in lives, the kind of problems that that we have in Afghanistan. It is these conflicts which are haemoraging the worlds ability to combine forces to deal with global problems that could destroy us all .And that includes any military conflict between America and other World powers .

Norm Wells | posted on Nov 15, 2009 @ 12:44

the f22 is the best around and to discontinue it is stuped. There are no planes thet measure up to this so you will have to pay but we need this super plain.THats Final Gates!

nate | posted on Nov 19, 2009 @ 18:10

i am doing a school report over the history of the USAF and talking about the F-22 Raptor. Do you have any information about the F-22 raptor?

sam james | posted on Dec 06, 2009 @ 22:26

I read a lot of comments about not selling the F/22 to allies. As I understand the aussie govt attempted to purchase the F/22 to replace the F-111's but were refused by the USA govt. Australia was one of the few countries the USA sold the F-111 to. In 2007, Australia decided to retire all of its RAAF F-111s by 2010, and the government signed a contract to acquire 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets as an "interim" replacement,[5] pending the acquisition of the under development F-35 Lightning II. In March 2008, after a review, the new Labor government confirmed its purchase of the Super Hornets. The purchase of F/22's by Australia would have been a win-win for all parties. Australia is a US ally that has fought alongside the USA in all major conflicts In the 20/21 centuries. The reluctance to sell these aircraft to Australia at the time can only be seen as a sign of distrust on the part of the USA. However I suspect it was related to the earlier refusal to sell these aircraft to Japan. The sale of any hitech technology needs to be taken into context. It is only hitech today and with advances in technologly will be obsoleted in a few years. Both Australia and Japan have been strong USA allies for more than 50 years. The decisions against sales to both Australia and Japan appear to be based on ignorance and domestic politics.

Peter | posted on Dec 15, 2009 @ 14:53

The liberals always looks for ways to minimize the defense budget. That way they do not have to raise taxes as high for their social programs, they simply divert the money from defense. Liberals never learn from history, they continue to trust our enemies. They do not understand that there are third world countries that want to be be king of the hill, at any cost. If we are not prepared we will be defeated. Then it will be too late. My biggest problem with liberals is that they believe that the USA is a democracy, majority rules. We seem to always loose freedom and military might under the democrats. What we get in exchange is more government entitlement programs at the expense of the economy and defense.
Don

Don Tremaine | posted on Dec 16, 2009 @ 17:04

I am a former Russian immigrant who became an American citizen just recently. Back in the USSR, I studied to become a designer of FBW control systems. I have at least one friend (also an American now) who, back in late 1980s, participated in development of what has now become the 5th generation Russian fighter prototype. Yes, the project is that old and Russians have only a prototype, not a real fighter!

I do not think the US has to be concerned about the direct military conflict with Russia. Even if it had, you wouldn't need F-22s to easily beat Russian air force; they are too weak.

China is another story; you have to start preparing yuorself to the idea that in a very near future China will become the economy #1 and therefore it will inevitably become the militarty power #1 as well. No need to panic though! If everything goes well (as we all hope), China will gradually become just another Japan - friendly and predictable, and we won't need F-22s to hold it. Unfortunately, there is a chance that Chinese internal problems (how to feed 1.5+ billion people) will become so great that it will result in political unrest and extremists coming to power - pretty much the same way it happened in Germany back in 1930s. However, we still have at least 20 years to get ready for that option; no rush to make F-22s by thousands!

India, although currently an ally, should be carefully watched as well for the same reason as China. Besides, Indians have a slight advantage over Chinese because they have been already promised to have their own derivative of the Russian jet by 2015.

The real danger is that Russians/Indians would start selling 5-gen. figthers to whoever. In that case, we will have to start selling F-22s to our reliable allys. I really do not understand why British/Australians/Canadians/Japanese are not allowed to have F-22s right now. (Germans and French too, but they would prefer their own Typhoons/Rafales).

I think, 187 Raptors is enough for now. I would pace their production over a long time - to keep the production lines for as long as possible available for sudden production increase.

Meanwhile, think ahead and maybe soon we will come up with some technical solutions that would make Russian/Indian/Chinese 5-gen. fighters (as well as American F-22s) as dangerous as bumble bees! American real power is in schools and universities! More teachers, more scientists, less dumb hardware!

Oleg Khaykin | posted on Feb 01, 2010 @ 20:47

very interesting a
Australia needs the Rapter and the best America and British can produce coz if the Chiness invade and take over Australia with help from Russa and Indanesian forces AND CONTROL THE GAS & URANIAM THE WORLD will be stuffed>

bob sands | posted on Mar 15, 2010 @ 08:33

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