F-22 RAPTOR SCORES DIRECT HIT IN TESTING OF SUPERSONIC, HIGH-ALTITUDE JDAM DROP(50,000ft.drop)

lockheedmartin.com ^

[MARKUSPRIME]

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor air dominance fighter, flying at a speed of Mach 1.5 and an altitude of 50,000 feet, released a GPS-aided Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) from a range of 24 nautical miles, destroying a small ground target in the F-22's fastest and highest JDAM delivery yet.This was another milestone testing event for the Combined Test Force of Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT], The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and U.S. Air Force pilots who conducted the joint developmental and operational test in early May at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., using a 1,000-pound Mk-83 JDAM with live warhead supplied by Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The ability to release a munition at supersonic speeds and standoff ranges greatly enhances the aircrew's survivability against heavily defended targets.“We've already demonstrated the airplane's ability to operate with virtual impunity in the air-to-air realm and have had many successful JDAM deliveries previously, but successfully attacking a ground target at this speed, altitude and standoff range with a live weapon shows that to be true in the air-to-ground mission as well,” said pilot Lt. Col. Raymond “Buzz” Toth following the test. “The Raptor is ready to fight and is uniquely capable of supporting Air Force and Joint Command objectives against any enemy.”

[Andy28]

24 nautical miles, well.. damn!

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

"Damn! A ^ pinpoint ^ JDAM strike from 50-thousand-feet!

A minor but salient point. Hope you don't mind my "fixing" the statement.

[Dark Skies]

Here's a great link for F-22 fans...

http://www.f22fighter.com/

[pissant]

Destined for a "safe house" in an iraqi neighborhood.

[Mad Dawgg]

"How many do we own of these? Enough to make a difference anywhere?"

Well realize (if specs have not changed) this puppy can Cruise at Mach 1. That means no afterburners which means much greater range then say an f16 or an f15.

That alone combined with the stealth capabilities puts it in a class by itself. It makes the old stealth fighter look like a prop trainer plane.

[demlosers]

Fidel Castro's nightmare..

[StJacques]

That is one big bomb to release at supersonic speed.

I wonder how fast they can fly and release the 2,000 lb. version?

cc: Ahmadinejad, Assad, Kim

[pissant]

Well, since most "poor" people are fat already, I say the guns and butter program is more than working now. ;o)

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

What's the explosive potential of the JDAM? Is that equivalent to what al-Zarqawi received via air-mail?

[jw777]

Sweet Bird

JDAM.

Just, DAMN!

[Red Badger]

"safe house"....we have a new oxymoron.........

[chuckles]

I thought the Tomahawk could already beat this from a greater distance without risking s pilot or an airplane. I'm not pooh poohing the Raptor, but there are other ways already. It is time to replace the F-15( even though it's never been shot down in combat), but a drone or a missile would be cheaper.

[b4its2late]

Kewl!

[pissant]

Kinda like "patriotic democrat"?

[Hat-Trick]

Plenty of opportunities for further testing:

How much per copy for one of these F22's?

[Red Badger]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jdam

[b4its2late]

Now all we need is a Clinton to give it to China.

Don't worry, if she gets in, she will. And China is probably padding her election coffers in anticipation......

[InterceptPoint]

Destined for a "safe house" in an iraqi neighborhood.

Make that "the bedroom window of a safe house".

[MARKUSPRIME]

All of our cruise missile can easily,but its nice to have a feature like this on an air dominace fighter. Never know when you have to take out SAM's.

[Pookee]

I was about to post "how do you defend against that!" but then I remembered. Defeating the F-22 is actually very simple. You simply take a video camera to the site of the JDAMings until you find some collateral damage (the uglier the better). Then you provide said video footage to CNN and send a check to MoveOn.org to help the fund the organized protest that will soon follow. Rinse and repeat.