Can they maneuver!

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh – August 7, 2006 – The noise from above made it clear something big and impressive was coming. But it was also something that hadn’t been seen before at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. As visitors cleared out of exhibit buildings and tents and headed for the flight line, two of the United States Air Force’s newest fighter aircraft, the F-22 Raptor, made their debut at Oshkosh. The demonstration, on Thursday, July 28, was one of very few non-military appearances to date. The Raptors did a flyby demonstration to kick off the afternoon air show, and the crowd’s reaction showed they approved as the planes maneuvered in directions you almost couldn’t believe had you not seen it with your own eyes. That’s because the Raptor’s twin engines incorporate thrust vectoring, which allows the airplanes to perform maneuvers that other planes cannot and hover in mid-air. But more than its twin engines and its thrust vectoring technology make the F-22 Raptor stand out. The F-22 incorporates the latest technological gains in low observable (stealth) technology, avionics, materials, engine performance and aerodynamic design, such as: A combination of improved sensor capability, improved situational awareness and improved weapons provides first-kill opportunity against threats. Its sophisticated sensor allows the pilot to track, identify and shoot the threat before it detects the F-22. The F-22's engines produce more thrust than any current fighter engine. Called "supercruise," this characteristic allows the F-22 to efficiently cruise at supersonic airspeeds without using afterburners, a device for augmenting the thrust of a jet engine by burning additional fuel with the uncombined oxygen in the exhaust gases. The F-22 is capable of carrying two 1,000-pound Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) internally and uses on-board avionics for navigation and weapons delivery support. The F-22s, designed primarily as a replacement for the F-15 and F-16, were accompanied to EAA AirVenture by a KC-135 tanker to provide fuel for their trip back to Langley AFB.

An F-22 Raptor hovers in mid-air through use of its thrust vectoring technology. The crowd watches in awe while protecting their ears from the sound of the Raptors. For More Information EAA AirVenture Oshkosh United States Air Force F-22 Raptor

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