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.

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