F/A-22 Raptor Makes First Public Flight at Edwards Air Show
October 29, 2003
By Airman 1st Class Matthew Dillier
Air Force Flight Test Center Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFMCNS) - The F/A-22 Raptor made its first public flight Oct. 25-26, making a few passes over the crowd gathered for the 2003 Edwards Open House and Air Show.
"It represented a lot of work by the company and the government to showcase what is clearly going to be the air dominance fighter of the future," said Col. Joe Lanni, F/A-22 Combined Test Force director. "I'm very proud to be a participant."
The F/A-22 Raptor, developed at Aeronautical Systems Center located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the replacement for the F-15 Eagle air-superiority fighter and will become operational early this century. It combines stealth design with the supersonic, highly maneuverable, dual-engine, long-range requirements of an air-to-air fighter, and it also will have an inherent air-to-ground capability, if needed, Air Force officials said.
The F/A-22's integrated avionics gives it first-look, first-shot, first-kill capability officials said will guarantee United States air dominance for the next three decades. The Raptor first took to the air here for flight tests Sept. 7, 1997 and is currently undergoing additional testing.
Officials said the F/A-22 came about to develop, field and support the next-generation, air-dominance fighter weapon system, and establish the standard for acquisition excellence.
"We showed some of the jet's basic maneuverability and speeds," said Lanni. "This was just an opportunity to see this great machine in the air."
According to Maj. Jim Dutton, a Raptor pilot, helped people see the aircraft's capabilities.
"Since this is the 100th anniversary of powered flight, we wanted to get the Raptor in the airshow," said Dutton. "We wanted to show the public what a great jet we have."
Lanni said this not only helped Edwards' partnership with the surrounding community, but the relationship with the Air Force and the Department of Defense as well.
"The whole point of this program is to help our forces flow into enemy countries," said Lanni. "It's important for the Army soldiers and Marines on the ground. The sons and daughters who go into combat will have the best support and equipment there is."
The Raptor was one of many aircraft that performed during the open house and air show.
http://www.military.com/NewsContent?file=102903_FA22
October 29, 2003
By Airman 1st Class Matthew Dillier
Air Force Flight Test Center Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFMCNS) - The F/A-22 Raptor made its first public flight Oct. 25-26, making a few passes over the crowd gathered for the 2003 Edwards Open House and Air Show.
"It represented a lot of work by the company and the government to showcase what is clearly going to be the air dominance fighter of the future," said Col. Joe Lanni, F/A-22 Combined Test Force director. "I'm very proud to be a participant."
The F/A-22 Raptor, developed at Aeronautical Systems Center located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the replacement for the F-15 Eagle air-superiority fighter and will become operational early this century. It combines stealth design with the supersonic, highly maneuverable, dual-engine, long-range requirements of an air-to-air fighter, and it also will have an inherent air-to-ground capability, if needed, Air Force officials said.
The F/A-22's integrated avionics gives it first-look, first-shot, first-kill capability officials said will guarantee United States air dominance for the next three decades. The Raptor first took to the air here for flight tests Sept. 7, 1997 and is currently undergoing additional testing.
Officials said the F/A-22 came about to develop, field and support the next-generation, air-dominance fighter weapon system, and establish the standard for acquisition excellence.
"We showed some of the jet's basic maneuverability and speeds," said Lanni. "This was just an opportunity to see this great machine in the air."
According to Maj. Jim Dutton, a Raptor pilot, helped people see the aircraft's capabilities.
"Since this is the 100th anniversary of powered flight, we wanted to get the Raptor in the airshow," said Dutton. "We wanted to show the public what a great jet we have."
Lanni said this not only helped Edwards' partnership with the surrounding community, but the relationship with the Air Force and the Department of Defense as well.
"The whole point of this program is to help our forces flow into enemy countries," said Lanni. "It's important for the Army soldiers and Marines on the ground. The sons and daughters who go into combat will have the best support and equipment there is."
The Raptor was one of many aircraft that performed during the open house and air show.
http://www.military.com/NewsContent?file=102903_FA22
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