Lockheed Martin Delivers 100th F-22 Raptor Air Dominance Fighter to The U.S. Air Force

Yahoo Biz ^

[CholeraJoe]

MARIETTA, Ga., Aug. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT - News) formally delivered the 100th F-22 Raptor air dominance fighter to the U.S. Air Force in ceremonies here today. 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 U.S. Air Force and the F-22 program. 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."

[CholeraJoe]

Smoother than a pretty woman's thighs.

[CholeraJoe]

Ping.

[wastedyears]

How much for a 10 minute ride?

[CholeraJoe]

Probably more than I’ve got. I touched a side of body panel for a Raptor at the factory and it was a life changing experience.

[RC2]

A great “testament” to our engineering departments across the country. Perfect proof of what we can do in the United States if we really want to. I’m waiting for the F-35.

[Obadiah]

It is a great fighter, but probably far and away overkill compared to whatever might be it’s closest competitor any other country has to offer. Additionally, it seems that unmanned aircraft is the future.

[TommyDale]

[casino66]

Nothing is ‘overkill’ when it comes to defending our country.

[Rinnwald]

What makes it go from an air superiority to an “Air Dominance” fighter?

Did the USAF check the “minidress, fishnets, whips and chains” option on the order card?

[Mr. Jeeves]

Nothing is ‘overkill’ when it comes to defending our country.

Nice motto for the Lockheed Martin boardroom. ;)

[CholeraJoe]

My friend who was a project manager for some key parts to the Raptor was recently reassigned to manage her company's parts for the F-35. I've seen some of them under construction at their factory.

I don't know what they are but it involves turning lumps of titanium into airplane parts on milling machines the size of double-wides.

[nuke rocketeer]

So, when are the active ones gonna go “clubbing baby seals”?

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

And American poured Titanium per the Berry Amendment.

[CholeraJoe]

Did the USAF check the “minidress, fishnets, whips and chains” option on the order card?

Yeah, and the neck tattoos.

[HamiltonJay]

Given its life expectancy is going to be 20-25 years, there is on such thing as overengineering up front. Lets not forget the B52 has been in service since 1955.

[SJSAMPLE]

Since we’re building less than 300 of them, we need all the overkill we can get.

May have to pair it with F-15Cs to get more missiles out there.

[Yo-Yo]

We pair them with F-35s. They can share targeting information and even divy up targets via data link.

[Bon mots]

We pair them with F-35s. They can share targeting information and even divy up targets via data link.

How many F-35s are we building?

[SJSAMPLE]

You mean, "We will pair them with F-35s".

In about ten years.

Right now, there's only these 100 F-22s and a large number of F-15Cs, and China ain't gonna wait ;)

[Yo-Yo]

How many F-35s are we building?

Just like the F-22, we are building thousands and thousands, until the bill comes due and congress decides that we can get along with about 2 dozen...