F-22 Raptor the most advanced stealth fighter jet

Fighter aircraft F-22 Raptor is the most expensive fighter aircraft types and sophisticated in the world today. Privileges F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft compared with the others is that its stealth technology. In other words, besides having maneuverability as well as other fighter aircraft, this aircraft that owned by United States Air Force is also not detected by radar or stealth fighter jet. Of course this is the biggest advantage of the F-22 Raptor. Because the other sophisticated fighter jet like the F-15, F-16, Su-27 and Su-37 do not have stealth technology.

In addition to this fighter has a high tech, F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft is also listed as the world’s most expensive fighter type. Price per unit of aircraft is U.S. $ 258 million. Many people are stunned by the price of this plane. Compare it with the Sukhoi Su-27 that cost about U.S. $ 40 million. The meaning is the price of one F-22 Raptor aircraft is the same with the price of six Sukhoi Su-27.

History-making F-22 Raptor

In September 1983, the U.S. government held the program’s Advanced Technology Fighter (ATF), which aims to develop stealth fighter jets. Aircraft design development contract awarded to 7 companies which consists of two consortia. The first consortium is Northrop (prime contractor) and McDonnell Douglas. Meanwhile, a second consortium consisting of Lockheed (prime contractor), Boeing and General Dynamics.

Northrop consortium produces stealth fighter jets YF-23A, while a consortium of Lockheed producing a YF-22A. In April 1991, the YF-22A model is developed further and became the forerunners of the F-22 Raptor. While the design of Northrop become Black Widow II fighter jet which was flown in 1990.

The ability of F-22 Raptor

Stealth fighter jet F-22 Raptor is the most technologically advanced fighter aircraft ever made. In addition to fighting, the aircraft can also be a spy plane because it is undetectable by radar, so that it can capture enemy intelligence. Not only that, the plane was also effective to fire smart bombs air to ground and capable of flying with a speed of 1,600 km/h. Regarding the ability to maneuver of course not need to be asked, because this is one of the best fighter aircraft in the world today. Coupled with its stealth technology it will make the enemy think twice to fight with F-22 Raptor.

Dilemma F-22 Raptor

F-22 Raptor was developed in 1981, with the aim to meet the needs of U.S. Air Force, will be advanced tactical fighter, which also has a ground attack capability to replace the F-15 Eagle. In that year, the paradigm of U.S. Cold War against the Soviets still very strong. This factor underlying the making of such an expensive fighter jet.

But in reality making this aircraft takes a long time, almost 23 years to make it become reality. The result is times have changed and the Cold War is over. So the F-22 Raptor is born at the late time and not working as intended before. The Soviet now is not the hassles faced American fighter jets, but they are struggling to overcome their own economy. U.S. Air Force has fighter jets F-22 Raptor stealth without rival in the world. In other words, the F-22 Raptor is no longer enemies. By operating the most sophisticated fighter jets and the most expensive, the U.S. Air Force increasingly unmatched and leave far away other countries Air Force in the world. Of course the question is this superior F-22 Raptor for what else if it is not unprecedented.