I am in the military and have seen this plane at Nellis Airforce base as it zipped around. As the plane turns you literally hear a zipping type sound. I know if I was on a battle field and heard that sound along with some Marine MRAPS and Cobras coming my way I would S***.
A lot of people talk about the stealth design and how beautiful the plane looks. One thing that seems to be overseen by the general public are the engines. The Pratt&Whitney engines have a system called vector thrust. Vector thrust is gives the ability for engines to thrust its power in a different direction giving the plane huge advantage in changing direction.
I am sue the F-22 will be taking name in the near future. It will be interesting to see how it works in a combat zone. Below are stats of this marvelous plane.
- Designers: Lockheed-Martin, Boeing, and General Dynamics
- Wingspan: 44'6
- Length: 62'1
- Height: 16'5
- Powerplant: 2 Pratt&Whitney F119-P-100, each rated at 35,000 lb st (155.69 kN) with afterburning
- Weight: (empty) more than 30,000 lbs; max. takeoff, 58,000 lbs.
- Speed: Mach 1.58 without afterburner
- Mach 2.3 with afterburners.
- Performance: service ceiling 50,000 ft.
