Bob McCarty Writes

The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor air dominance fighter made its international air show debut outside North America today at the Royal International Air Tattoo held at RAF Fairford. The U.S. Air Force F-22 Aerial Demonstration Team put the aircraft through its paces, demonstrating its capability.

“The F-22 continues to compile an impressive record of performance and reliability since reaching full operational capability with the U.S. Air Force in 2007,” said Larry Lawson, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics executive vice president and F-22 program general manager. “The U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Demonstration Team gave the audience a small taste of the 5th generation capability this aircraft delivers by showcasing its aerodynamic properties. When combined with the mission systems, stealth properties and speed — the Raptor is tough to engage in the air or on the ground.”

The F-22 demonstrated superior performance recently during its second Red Flag and Northern Edge force-on-force exercises.

A total of 183 Raptors are on contract, and 122 have been delivered. The F-22 is produced in partnership with Boeing and Pratt & Whitney with parts and subsystems provided by approximately 1,000 suppliers in 44 U.S. states. F-22 production takes place at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facilities in Marietta, Ga.; Fort Worth, Texas; Palmdale, Calif.; and Meridian, Miss., as well as at Boeing’s plant in Seattle, Wash. Final assembly and initial flight testing of the Raptor occurs in Marietta.

Raptors are currently assigned to six bases across the United States. Flight testing takes place at the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, Calif. Operational tactics development is ongoing at Nellis AFB, Nev. Pilot and crew chief training takes place at Tyndall AFB, Fla. Operational Raptors are assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley AFB, Va., the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska and the 49th Fighter Wing at Holloman AFB, N.M. Raptors will also be based at Hickam AFB, Hawaii.