The F-22 Raptor Was Expensive, But It Is Worth Every Penny

19FortyFive ^ | 8/29/2022 | Brent M. Eastwood

[whyilovetexas111]

Does it really have the radar signature of a bumble bee? The U.S. Air Force thinks so. I am talking, of course, about the F-22, a $108 billion program that at the time of its development was the most advanced fighter in the world.

The F-22, though, is expensive to fly and maintain. It sets the Air Force back $68,000 per hour of flight – more than the F-15E Strike Eagle and the F-16C Fighting Falcon. Why did the U.S. military insist on buying it despite the cost? The main reasons are its stealthiness; its supercruise, or ability to fly at high speeds without afterburners; its high agility; and excellent maneuverability. The Air Force thought the F-22 was worth the investment.

[whyilovetexas111]

I think this plane was worth it, but that idiot Bill Gates slashed the program. Man, how dumb. Like really, really dumb.

[BenLurkin]

Saw a demonstration flown by one at an airshow. Spectacular.

[Jeff F]

You mean Defense Secretary Robert Gates during the Obama administration.

[PGR88]

Like so many things, it was a fantastic, advanced and expensive tool - in the hands of the spoiled, idiot children who conduct our national policy

The F-22 is/did/will NOT:

preventing the invasion of the Southern US border
kept pedo joe from being humiliated in Afghanistan
keeping rioters from finishing of the US presence in Iraq
keep Russia out of Ukraine
prevent China from taking Taiwan
prevent woke destruction of energy markets.

[Macoozie]

Made with Chinese Rare Earths
2005 Tech sent to Beijing years ago and now common-knowledge in University
Ni Hao, no parts available

The Big Guy got his cut
Big Ears got his.

And now YOUR kids have to risk their lives flying around in them in a not-allowed to win war, to protect Big Money amd show the need for more planes for the next phony war.

Let it all phookin burn.

[chuckb87]

“And now YOUR kids have to risk their lives flying around in them in a not-allowed to win war...”

What do you mean flying around in a not-allowed to win war? They don’t even do that. They just fly in circles all day around their bases burning fuel and money. Nice expensive roller coaster ride for the people who fly them. I enjoy watching my tax dollars being wasted in useless airplanes.

[PIF]

but that idiot Bill Gates slashed the program
—
The plane is worth it but the site is not. Its a below average, often wrong, or misleading site, despite getting a few well know guest writers. The war Zone, Breaking Defense, Task & Purpose are all far better with far better researched articles.

Sec DEF Robert Gates (not Bill) slashed the program because Rep Obey (D. WI) made it impossible to sell the plane anywhere else (the Obey Amendment). And there was much talk how the F-35 was cheaper and could do all the missions the 22 could do. Pointing out that there was no way a plane designed as a bomb truck could become an air superiority dog fighter, only brought ridicule.

[reintarnation]

Thanks for the critique on 1945. It seems to be opinion pieces without underlying reportage. I already read The War Zone, and will check out Breaking Defense and T&P.

[larrytown]

They just fly in circles all day around their bases burning fuel and money. Nice expensive roller coaster ride for the people who fly them. I enjoy watching my tax dollars being wasted in useless airplanes.

Air show queens - creators of decades of debt.

Point and ooh- and-aah, knowing your country is already dead.

[SoConPubbie]

And it wasn’t made for any of things was it?!

It was made to keep a communist country like China in check.

[Gene Eric]

The one being parted out, or the one to be flown?

[packagingguy]

Yes the F-22 really was the best at our local air show. The F-35’s either couldn’t do or wouldn’t do the same maneuvers.

Does anyone know if it was couldn’t or wouldn’t?

[pfflier]

Does anyone know if it was couldn’t or wouldn’t?

USAF demo teams at airshows have a pecking order. The F-22s do what they do and have seniority. The F-35s don't duplicate the show, it would be boring for the spectators.

Most civilians come for the zoom, boom and afterburner flame. They wouldn't know or appreciate some of the finer points the planes are capable of demonstrating.

When the Thunderbirds or Blue Angels are there, the other demo teams (even civilians like Breitling) are also restricted so as not to impinge on the "Oooo" factor of the official service flight demo teams.

Pretty interesting dynamics when seen from the inside.

[lurk]

It’s a very nice plane. Crazy expensive.

[jimfr]

“The F-35s don’t duplicate the show, it would be boring for the spectators” The last two airshows I went to was just that. Every plane did the same set of moves. Whether it was a bi-plane or jet. Along with loosing my hearing I don’t go any more because it was boring.

[nascarnation]

Did they have the Pearl Harbor re-enactment? I saw that this year at Dayton and thought it was pretty cool.

[MinorityRepublican]

You use cheap drones to take out F-22s while they’re parked. Everyone use satellites so good luck at hiding your planes. If you build many drones, you’ll be able to overwhelm the air defense system because they cannot take out every drone.

[nascarnation]

I wonder if they are developing a shotgun shell firing Phalanx CIWS-type system for drones?

[pfflier]

Military flying at airshows is geared towards 14-15 YOs. That is the point where they make decisions to really be dedicated to becoming pilots . They have to develop a track get the grades to either get into a service academy or get a college degree. (A stunning number of people think you just tell the recruiter you want to be a pilot and that's it).

Because of that the airshow is speed, minimum radius turns, afterburner flames and going vertical over show center. They make it look like a video game because most kids are familiar with that.

[JoeRender]

yeah we need to bring back the F-22. Far superior to the F-35.