Raptor 03 Centerpiece Of New Air Dominance Exhibit

Raptor 03, the third F-22 manufactured by the industry team of Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Pratt & Whitney, took center stage this weekend at The National Museum of the US Air Force as it became part of a new exhibit showcasing America's air dominance fighter. One of nine F-22s built for engineering, manufacture and development testing, Raptor 03 will remain on display in the museum.

"The F-22 Raptor is a revolutionary combat system with its fifth generation fighter capabilities, and we are pleased to add one of these state of the art weapons systems to the museum's collection," said Brig. Gen. C.D. Moore, Commander, 478th Aeronautical Systems Wing. "The expanding Raptor fleet, represented by the display of Ship 3 (91-4003), reflects the finest in American ingenuity, creativity and innovation."

Raptor 03 was the test fleet workhorse. It was used for loads testing, crosswind landing trials, arrester hook evaluations,and weapons bay environment studies. It was the first F-22 to launch an AMRAAM missile at supersonic speeds and was the first to carry out a rolling, high-g Sidewinder missile shot -- something no other aircraft is capable of doing.

"We are honored by the role the industry team has played in defining a new generation of US Air Force Air Dominance fighters," said Larry Lawson, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics executive vice president and F-22 general manager. "The Raptor now sits in this great museum among the greatest aircraft ever used in the defense of our nation."

The Raptor's combination of stealth, integrated avionics, maneuverability and supercruise (flight 1.5 times the speed of sound without afterburner) gives the F-22 "first-look, first-shot, first-kill" capability against any potential enemy aircraft and anti-access surface-to-air threats. The F-22 was designed to provide not just air superiority but air dominance, giving America's warfighter an unprecedented advantage quickly and decisively.

Billed by its manufacturers as the world's most advanced fighter, the Raptor is built by Lockheed Martin teamed with Boeing and Pratt & Whitney. Parts and subsystems are provided by approximately 1,000 suppliers in 44 US states. F-22 production takes place at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facilities in Marietta, GA; Fort Worth, Texas; Palmdale, CA; and Meridian, MS, as well as at Boeing's plant in Seattle, WA. Final assembly, initial flight testing and delivery of the Raptor occurs at Marietta.

Raptors are currently assigned to five US bases. Flight testing takes place at the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, CA. Operational tactics development and Weapons School training is ongoing at Nellis AFB, NV. Pilot and crew chief training takes place at Tyndall AFB, FL. Operational Raptors are assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley AFB, VA (27th and 94th Fighter Squadrons) and now the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf AFB, AK. Raptors will also be based at Holloman AFB, NM, and Hickam AFB, Hawaii.

FMI: www.nationalmuseum.af.mil, www.f22fighter.com