5th Generation Fighter Prepares for Initial Operational
Capability
Lockheed Martin has conducted an F/A-22 Raptor program update
detailing the advantages and capabilities that the
F/A-22 brings to the United States and its allies.
"This has been a great year for the Raptor program," said Larry
Lawson, executive vice president and general manager of the F/A-22
program, at the Air Force Association's 2005 Air & Space
Conference and Technology Exposition.
"We had excellent news in February when the Air Force announced
the F/A-22 Raptor as 'overwhelmingly effective,' based on
performance results of its Initial Operational Test and Evaluation
(IOT&E). More good news followed in March when the Department
of Defense approved the Raptor for full rate production."
"We are two weeks into Follow-On Operational Test and Evaluation
(FOT&E) and the supersonic drop of a Joint Direct Attack
Munition (JDAM) from the Raptor on the first attempt in July are
also significant milestones for the program," Lawson added. "We've
completed final assembly on 62 of the 83 revolutionary stealthy
aircraft presently on contract, and all Raptors slated for delivery
this year are now on the flight line."
In short, Lawson reported the F/A-22 program is healthy, and on
track -- with superb production and solid aircraft performance.
Lockheed Martin and its industry team partners are working side
by side with the Air Force at all F/A-22 bases as the Air Force
prepares for Initial Operational Capability (IOC) later this year.
The Air Force now has 47 F/A-22 Raptors flying at four bases,
Edwards AFB, Calif., Tyndall AFB, Fla., Nellis AFB, Nev. and
Langley AFB, Va., where airmen are involved in flight testing,
tactics development, flight and maintenance training and preparing
for real world operational employment capability later this
year.
The F/A-22 Raptor, the world's most advanced 5th generation
fighter, is built by Lockheed Martin in partnership with Boeing and
Pratt & Whitney. Approximately 1,000 suppliers in 42 states
provide parts and subsystems. F/A- 22 production takes place at
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facilities in Palmdale, Calif.;
Meridian, Miss.; Marietta, Ga.; and Fort Worth, Texas, as well as
at Boeing's plant in Seattle, Wash. Final assembly and initial
flight testing of the Raptor occurs at the Marietta plant
facilities.