Posted on 12/15/2005 1:47:24 PM PST by anonymoussierra
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US Air Force said it will declare the first F-22A Raptor fighter squadron operational, effectively making the advanced stealthy jet ready for combat.
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After years of intensive testing and training for the jet, which an air force official called "the finest air dominance fighter ever built", the 27th Fighter Squadron will formally enter its 12 F22As into service with the announcement.
It effectively means the squadron, based at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia, will be capable of deploying the stealth fighters on missions anywhere in the world, an air force spokesman said.
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It has been a bumpy flight for the F-22A, long criticized as a costly relic of Cold War mentality that no longer had a mission even as the Pentagon pushed ahead to produce it.
In a world where the United States has few rivals for air supremacy, the air force has watched as its plans to buy F-22s have been whittled down to 180 aircraft from 648 in 1991.
The air force still says it needs 381 of the aircraft, which cost an estimated 133.1 million dollars each.
With research and development included, the cost per aircraft is 354.6 million dollars.
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Air Force officials staunchly defend the fighter as crucial to keeping the US edge in the air.
The aircraft is not only stealthy but capable of cruising at supersonic speeds, enabling it to fly deep inside heavily defended areas.
"It is today the finest air dominance fighter ever built," Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne told reporters this week.
Besides its air-to-air role, the fighter also can be used to dropped satellite guided bombs.
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Air force officials have suggested it has other still classified capabilities in the realm of electronic warfare, surveillance and signals intelligence.
Analysts say the fighter appears to have escaped further cuts in a quadrennial Pentagon review of military strategy and capabilities which is now nearing conclusion.
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Under the Pentagon's proposed 2006 budget, production of the F-22 would stop in 2009 after 179 of the aircraft have been built.
But Wynne said he would like to keep an F-22 production line warm beyond that.
I saw one fly by once... or maybe I didn't...
Yes, thank you! This also means no more sonic booms in southern Tennessee and north Georgia where they've been testing the thing!
I would love to see about 1000 of these, stationed in Israel, Taiwan and India.
Jag!
Wonder if some of these stealthy bad boys will be doing a tour of Iran soon......
USAF finally catches up to 1997...
Thursday aviation porn?
Pictures, please!
Just in time to pay a visit to Tehran.
Tt's not an Ann Coulter thread, but this beauty deserves a picture post too!
You're quick. . .
Number 9 Thank you all
No kidding, this program has been running since what? 88 or so....
Ah, the world isn't standing still Mr. AFP propaganda man.... The Russians, Chinese, and even the Euros are doing their best to catch up to the F-15 and F-14!
I like F-22. Teheran get ready. Thank you all
Yeah, escorting F117s..... Sweet.
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