See that black box in the upper left hand corner? That F-22 is dead.
"See that black box in the upper left hand corner? That F-22 is dead."
But couldn't this picture be an example of a friendly pilot targeting a F22 for grins when the Raptor was not operating in a defensive mode?
Oh, I agree that frame shot shows an apparent kill.
I'm just ASKING you if that is *actual* REDFLAG (or other) exercise 'gun camera' or is it camera footage from training, testing, wingman fun, etc. The 'aggressor' in this frame you posted might just be having fun for bragging rights-- with a buddy. I am especially curious since the F-22 appears to be flying from left to right, and the aggressor from right to left [ I don't do photo-interpretation ] which would be a TOUGH aspect to get a kill with missiles or guns 'in real life'. It would seem to show a criss-cross during a scissors (or similar) ACM maneuver. But I am NOT good at figgering out camera shots.
Cuz I'm just saying that in articles I can find, there are no documented 'kills' on an F-22 by an aggressor.
There are a lot of angry "WHAT'S YOUR SOURCE???" fanatics on FR, so I am honestly just curious ... what's the source/origin of that kill-shot?
One last comment. No plane is invincible. A lot comes down to the wet-ware inside the helmet. The airframe and weapon systems are only so good. Sure the USAF is hard-selling the F-22, but bear in mind that pilots and aircraft of all types (and from multiple friendly nations) have gone up against the F-22 and gone home repeatedly, persistently dead and frustrated. It's not just USAF BS (of which there is PLENTY to go around) it's also apparent from the available data that the F-22 is THAT good. Bear in mind I come from a Naval Aviation family that holds considerable disdain for the Country Club of the Armed Forces, where every airfield has a fixed location AND a golf course alongside.
I just happen to believe the F-22 is the real deal. Not invincible, but certainly awesome and worth the bucks.
Ask yourself: if you and your wingman were wanting to own your kill box, or come out of every furball alive, what aircraft would you pick out of the worldwide inventory?
Thanks for the reasoned opposition, by the way. ;-)