F-22 Raptor

The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation 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. Lockheed Martin 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 provides the wings, aft fuselage, avionics integration, and all of the pilot and maintenance training systems.

The aircraft was variously designated F-22 and F/A-22 during the years prior to formally entering US Air Force service in December 2005 as the F-22A. Despite a protracted and costly development period, the USAF considers the F-22 a critical component of the US strike force, and claims that the F-22 can only be matched by the PAK-FA and the J-XX fighter aircraft. In April 2009 the US Department of Defense proposed to cease placing new orders, subject to Congressional approval, for a final procurement tally of 187 Raptors. Raptor production will continue for other operators.

Variants
A number of F-22 variants have been developed:

*F-22I Efes, Israeli version of the Strike Raptor, 94 on order
 * F-22A Raptor, air dominance fighter
 * RF-22A Black Raptor (10 built for Saudi Arabia)
 * F-22B Raptor, 2 seater
 * F-22E Strike Raptor, based on the F-22B, this Raptor is developed as a replacement for the F-15E. No orders so far
 * F-22N - Naval swing wing version


 * FA-22F Stingray - Second-generation multirole Raptor based on the X-44 Manta
 * EA-22G - F-22B derived electronic attack/C3 node for UCAV swarms
 * FQ-19 - Subscale Raptor-derived air dominance UCAV