The F-22 Raptor is a stealth figther which will totally own the skies. The USAF claims that the Raptor cannot be matched by any known or projected fighter aircraft. That's saying something!
Here's the Raptor at take off.
I was so surprised at the incredible acceleration that I wasn't even keeping up properly with the camera!
It's natural to have the F-22 at Nellis, as the first production Raptors were delivered there.
With supercruise and thrust vectoring, the F-22 incorporates all the latest whiz bang technologies.
After picking up a lot of speed, the Raptor pulls up sharply.
The afterburning Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofans has pitch axis thrust vectoring, which makes the plane very nimble.
In order to preserve the airplanes' stealth characteristics, missles and bombs are carried internally. Here, the weapon bay doors are starting to open.
Something different this show was the two AIM-9 sidewinder missiles seen popping out of the side bays! There were no missiles at the other shows I've seen. In addition to the 2 sidewinders, the F-22 can carry 6 AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.
This is an awesome view of the Raptor! Gold tinted canopy, afterburners lit, and wisps of vapor coming off the wingtips!
The power and acceleration of the F-22 is just unbelievable. It went from a near standstill to smoking fast in a couple blinks of the eye!
A slightly different perspective as he's rolling in this shot.
Almost looks like a bird of prey in this fast pass.
Thunderous sound from the powerful engines!
The 2D thrust vectoring nozzles can be clearly seen as he pulls away.
The front part of the plane is in nice focus, but the rear half is all fuzzy as the raptor executes a sharp bank, and is partially distorted by the heat waves from his own exhaust gases.
The F-22 back on the ground after the Heritage flight.
Someone commented that the F-22 may very well be the best fighter that never got to prove itself. May be wishful thinking that there would be no more conflicts, but we can all hold out hope.
Flying the F-22 demonstration was Maj. Paul 'Max' Moga! Hang Loose Max!
It was GREAT watching the F-22, and the crowds loved it!
Nellis '08 Gallery Index