Chalk One Up For The Raptor

One of the US military's newest and most advanced fighter jets, the F/A-22 Raptor, successfully deployed a Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) bomb last week on the Utah Test and Training Range.

The JDAM release, conducted by members of the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron based at Nellis AFB in Nevada, was the first part of one of the Raptor's largest test phases to date. The Follow-On Operational Test and Evaluation mission is designed to validate air-to-ground capabilities of the advanced fighter.

“This test is the culmination of a tremendous effort by numerous organizations and will serve to provide Air Combat Command the best information possible on the air-to-ground capabilities of this aircraft,” said Col. Matt Black, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Detachment 6 commander.

Detachment 6 is the overall agency performing the evaluation flights of the Raptor, to be divided into three key areas. The Utah JDAM release flights are one area, while a second calls for firing live AIM-120 air-to-air missiles at the White Sands Missile Range near Alamogordo, NM.

The third part of the test program is a full mission-level evaluation, combining elements from the first two test areas, to be conducted on the Nevada Test and Training Range. The testing is scheduled to last through late fall.

The extensive evaluation program is seen as necessary to ensure that the stealthy F/A-22 will be able to replace older fighters in multiple roles throughout the military. Once deployed in combat operations, the Raptor will be called on to perform both air-to-air combat missions, as well as ground-support duties.

Once the evaluation program is completed, the Air Force's Air Combat Command will decide if the Raptor will progress to its first Initial Operational Capability squadron deployment at Langley AFB, VA.

FMI: www.af.mil