Milestone Aircraft To Be Based In Alaska

Lockheed Martin formally delivered the 100th F-22 Raptor air dominance fighter to the US Air Force in ceremonies Thursday at Marietta, GA. The milestone aircraft (Air Force serial number 05-0100) will be assigned to the 90th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.

"The F-22 is a testament to the skills of engineers and technicians from more than 1,000 companies across America," said Lockheed Martin Executive Vice President and F-22 Program General Manager Larry Lawson.

"This delivery marks a significant milestone for the US Air Force and the F-22 program," Lawson continued. "The Raptor is providing top cover for America and our allies. We have developed the most capable fighter in the world, which is exactly what the men and women defending us deserve."

During the ceremony, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne signed the DD-250 form, the official US government acceptance document.

The 90th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf is expected to receive its full complement of 20 F-22s by the fall of 2008.

Starting with the first parts being made, production of each Raptor takes a total span of approximately 30 months, according to Lockheed. The various parts are sent to the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, GA, for final assembly.

With 30 positions on the assembly line in the 3.5 million square foot main production building in Marietta, the elapsed time in the major mate and final assembly process is approximately 12 months.

FMI: www.lmco.com, www.af.mil