[Ulrik]

The use of the FA/22 Raptor has been debated ever since it was un-vieled a few years ago. Some say The USAF could make better versions of F-16's and F-15's. Plus, the fact that is a 22 Million dollar investment doesn't help, but it also is like a flying Cadilac! It is equiped with RAM (Radar Absobant Material) missiles that fit inside the fusalage, giving it greater speed and stealth. Also, it has enough bomb/munition space to destroy a couple bunkers.

So? Do you think it is worth investing in or flying garbage?

[DELPHEUS]

If I didn't already know what you're talking about, I'd give you a blank stare or start talking about dinosaurs.

As it is, you should add in A LOT more information and explain why you're bringing it up.

I, however, don't know anymore than it's an expensive stealth fighter so I can't really determine whether it's good or bad.

[coolmule]

I voted 'yes' because it has a cool name like 'Raptor' and I bet it can fly fast and has guns. But like most people, I am woefully uninformed, and I do not plan to change that in the near future.

[Sidstyler]

Ha, like coolmule I'll have to vote "yes" simply because it's awesome. I've loved the design since I first saw it and the name is even better.

If you're looking for a more serious answer though, I can't really deliver since I have no idea what I'm talking about.

[DELPHEUS]

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is a fighter aircraft that uses stealth technology. It is primarily an air superiority fighter, but has multiple capabilities that include ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence roles. The United States Air Force considers the F-22 a critical component of the U.S. strike force.[1]

Faced with a protracted and costly development period, the aircraft was variously designated F-22 and F/A-22 during the three years before formally entering US Air Force service in December 2005, as the F-22A. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics is the prime contractor and is responsible for the majority of the airframe, weapon systems and final assembly of the F-22. Program partner Boeing Integrated Defense Systems provides the wings, aft fuselage, avionics integration, and all of the pilot and maintenance training systems.

The F-22 is claimed by multiple sources to be the world’s most effective air superiority fighter. The US Air Force states that the F-22 cannot be matched by any known or projected fighter aircraft.[1] Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Chief of the Australian Defence Force, said in 2004 that the "F-22 will be the most outstanding fighter plane ever built."[5]
Contents

Wiki Article: F22 Raptor

There's some content. :P

A rather interesting little tidbit from that article.

"While attempting its first overseas deployment to the Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, on 11 February 2007, a group of six Raptors flying from Hickam AFB experienced multiple computer crashes coincident with their crossing of the 180th meridian of longitude (the International Date Line). The computer failures included at least navigation (completely lost) and communication. The fighters were able to return to Hawaii by following their tankers in good weather. The error was fixed within 48 hours and the F-22s continued their journey to Kadena."

[Vallessian]

The Raptor has taken on five times its number in F18s in training exercises and won, and thats with pilots of equal experience. You just can't walk away from gaining that kind of air superiority. The Nation that gets complacent quickly falls behind.

[Genmotty]

The Nation that gets complacent quickly falls behind.

Behind who? Vall, behind who? The Chinese? They won't reach western standards for another 30 years or so. The Indians? even longer. Europe? We're your 'allies' in NATO.

(We also buy this stuff from the US leave, it rusting in a hanger and go out and use yesterdays equipment because the British military thinks it's so Butch: Ref Desert Storm, Falklands, Second Gulf War.)

Russia? They are dead on the world arms superiority to be honest.

[hr]

While a stunning piece of machnary the FA22 Raptor isn't 'required' and was not worth the investment put into it (yet). Developing 'tomorrows air superiority fighter' is useless in a world that is unlikely to see tomorrows air warfare with a pilot in the pilot seat.

I think that this might be one of the last designs of manned military aircraft that we will see. With manned aircraft going the way of the B2, the Nighthawk and those radar command and control craft LWACKS(?).

50/50- time will judge this,
Genmotty

[Mrgame]

meh...I think it looks like crap to be honest. We still have stealth fighters and bombers sitting in hangers. Granted, they are getting old, but so is every other damn peice of equipment in our military. We just retired or F-117, or so I heard.
Quite honestly I never liked jack of all trade weapons. Way to much money, and yes quite honestly that aircraft is pretty much a waste. there are so much more it can do but because we are human it is limited to our capabilities.
Eventually, I don't know what they're waiting for but just go ahead and put unmanned jet fighters in the sky(IMHO another stupid idea)

Right now, a waste, very few countries can match our air superiority, and right now, those few extra dollars lining our wallets can be quite useful, especially now.

[Ulrik]

umm this is the only stealth fighter. F-117's name is just for show, also...one was shot down in the middle east. low freq radar my friend

[enderwiggin]

Originally Posted by Genmotty

Behind who? Vall, behind who? The Chinese? They won't reach western standards for another 30 years or so. The Indians? even longer. Europe? We're your 'allies' in NATO.

(We also buy this stuff from the US leave, it rusting in a hanger and go out and use yesterdays equipment because the British military thinks it's so Butch: Ref Desert Storm, Falklands, Second Gulf War.)

Russia? They are dead on the world arms superiority to be honest.

Many things can happen in less than twenty years. Especially if war becomes involved. Lessons can easily be learned to this effect from a variety of countries top of the list being the United States and Germany.

No offense, but if it really came down to it for some weird reason each of us would, of course, root for our own country to triumph over the other person's (well the majority would anyways).

And Russia was (is still in secrecy???) developing a fifth generation fighter much along the lines of combat potential of the F-22. I wouldn't count them out yet, lessons in Africa have shown that even an old gun in the hands of a child can kill you as surely as the latest rifle (yes, I know I didn't get the quote right. ).