F-22 Raptor with external fuel tanks take off ! !

[DillontehHAXer]

The F22 got replaced by the F-35.F22A raptor cost too much the USAF only orderd 187,However the Navy and the USAF orderd (together) around 2,400 F-35's

[MrBaimcute]

dear santa

[Strykaas]

thats a mean plane

[Nastafar]

AHH THE BEAUTIFUL ROAR OF TURBINE ENGINES

[YZach]

I would hope those tanks can drop off, otherwise it voids some of the stealth capability of the F-22.

[WarDog38]

@YZach The external tanks are referred to as "ferry tanks." They are only used for long distance trips, like deployments. It helps to cut down the number of aerial refuelings.

[killeremo15]

that plane became more handsome than without external fuel tanks ^^

[J3ZZB3CK]

@shadowhunter388 f-22 raptors can hold them the have them hidden to make it more stealthy along with the missiles aswell

[shadowhunter388]

When I seen its external tanks it looks so much more badass. I never knew it even had the capability of carrying those.

[1bearcatf8f]

Im guessing its range is like 2900 miles,plues with tanks mayby 3100miles.1600miles isnt its range so dont say it is.

[Wadeforce]

there so beautiful

[DobbinsAFBnoiseorg]

This is the F-22 noise we hear when we are inside our homes and only 1150 feet from the end of the newly extended runway. The government refuses to buy us out and has stolen our property rights by condemning an avigation easement. The noise is like living in HELL. See our web page dobbinsafbnoise org

[Waltham1892]

@DobbinsAFBnoiseorg Was your home built before or after the runway was built?

[DobbinsAFBnoiseorg]

@Waltham1892 My house was built in 1926. Base was started in 1943 I believe.

[Waltham1892]

@DobbinsAFBnoiseorg So, I would assumed that you are either 80+ years old or purchased a home 300 yards from an active airstrip. I don't know what you mean by "condeming an aviation easment." I'm going to assume you mean that the government "declared an aviation easement" on local noise ordinences due to the active military air field.

[DobbinsAFBnoiseorg]

@Waltham1892

1994- lived there for over 10 years. 2005 Dobbins expanded Runway 11 -put my property in the flight path & Clear Zone. Condemned an "Avigation" Easement stole my property rights which include the government being able to remove buildings and trees as well as putting me in a flight path where planes like this F-22 fly 24/7 44 feet above ground level & the government also put my property in a "Clear Zone" as well. No AICUZ/ EIS Reports/Public Meetings ever conducted. Gave me $200

[fava1300]

LOL is that stealth fighter? it make a hella lot of noise

[242DEE]

@fava1300 u dont have to be quiet to be stealthy u just have to evade radar be a good dooog fihter and be able to fire missiles from a safe range

[51kabalmiller]

it`s good

[flyer56]

WOW that is a noisey motherfker. I LOVE IT!!!!!!

[Viperboy519]

i was at an airshow in toronto and the little screw almost broke sound over the ocean and almost made me cry no lie bro

[Maxables]

Man, the F-22 has LOUD engines!

[Viperboy519]

thats a mans plane

[repsollenny]

The external fuel tank are also used to "break" the stealth off the aircraft so no one can gather information about the aircraft.

[nitrouselement]

They must be departing for a longggg trip.

[sgtbarone]

they need some stealth fuel tanks and they got themselfs a great recon fighter

[tallpaleandugly]

They will put external tanks on them for long flights where they are transferring to another air base. For combat or excersises they will remove them for stealth purposes.

[kai085]

Time to design and build stealth ext. tanks and pylons to mount! ER F-22!

[ANimouz]

apparently this is only for some training configuration since external weapons or fuel tanks breaks the stealth of the aircraft.

[Foromir27]

GO, Starscream!

[JJAHT]

i get that they might want to stay in the air longer, but it still is rare to see a f-22 raptor with external fuel tanks

[8D9B5L]

The plane as external fuel tanks, so what? I have seen pictures of an F-22, flying out of Alaska, and intercepting a Russian Tu-95MS bomber. If the plane is out for longer missions, like keeping our boarders safe, then they might want to stay in the air longer and are not worried as much about their radar signature.

[JSF122386]

eternal fuel tanks or AFTERBURN?

[matthandrescuer]

so the commenters are saying those a bombs and the guy says it's a fuel tank...

such a sad world.

[alliemac52]

and are you sure f-22's are not hitting targets in afgan!!!!!!!! hmmmm

[ThisGuyOnLive]

You think fuel tanks will affect the radar cross-section enough for enemy radar to pick it up? Sure it might do a little bit, but the planes radar cross-section without them is that of a seagull as-is.

+PLUS, most, if not ALL fighter aircraft dump their fuel tanks before entering, engaging, or approaching the target(s). And, take into the fact that the current assumed enemy/destination for this aircraft is to war, Iraq has very few radar stations, making this an even better.

[retroencabulator]

Is there a single aviation clip on this site that's not got a bunch of 12 year old dipshits arguing about it?

[jay64stang]

This is for long range missions. Hes probably going to Iraq...

[blair91234]

you...are...stupid.

[Azzkik411]

I was referring to the external fuel tanks and how they're meant for long range missions. Oh and if you said that kinda shit to my face I would beat your fucking ass kid... You're also the one whos dumb you dont even know me. Hide behind your computer screen like the bitch you are...

[blair91234]

LOL...why in gods name would they send an F-22 to iraq...theres no planes for them to fight...ill just say it one more time since you dont get what im saying...you...are...stupid.

[alliemac52]

wow before you call this guy stupid you need to know your shit first......22's can be loaded with bombs genius. you know the type that are dropped on houses and things the little bad guys hide in

[blair91234]

WOW listen to WHAT IM SAYING DAMIT...i said the F-22 is mainly air to air...i never said it CANT drop bombs.

[alliemac52]

you said that "there are no planes for them to fight" "so why would they send f22 to iraq" you said nothing like that.....you may have thought that you sure didnt type it

[blair91234]

exactly...they wont send the F-22 to iraq cause there are no planes for them to fight...and other better bombing planes can carry out the bombing missions. B-1 , B-2 , B-52....if you really think they would send an f-22 squadron to iraq for bombing...then wow.

[alliemac52]

do you have any idea what so ever is going on there or how war is played out. it is more cost effective to have direct attack aircraft agaist smaller targets like the ones in iraq. im an f15 mechanic, what the hell am i consistently being deployed to this shit hole if we have heavy bombers hitting smaller targets. most of the bombing are being carried out by 15's, 16's 18's and a-10's not heavy bombers. heavy bombers just arnt practicle in this current situation. you people have no clue

[blair91234]

ok...your getting off course...lets end this just by saying i was right that there not going to send F-22s to iraq to drop bombs...thats absurd. I never mentioned any other fighters NOT dropping bombs therefor your proving no one wrong so just shut up and realize there not gunna send a stealth air to air superiority fighter to iraq of Afghanistan for bombing missions....

[alliemac52]

22's are in afgan bombing now so why would iraq be any diffrent.....your not right about shit fella. now we will end this. why f15 is a airsupeririority fighter and they are there. you dont want to get in this...ill just fuck yo face

[blair91234]

youll just fuck my face?...wow r u fucking gay you fuckin faggot...again i didnt say shit about the F-15 you keep bringing this shit up your not a fucking mechanic your a fuckin fatass that lives in his moms basement.

[alliemac52]

lolol...get outta here

[Athaeus]

"22's are in afgan bombing now so why would iraq be any diffrent....."

---

Liar.

"The reality is we are fighting two wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the F-22 has not performed a single mission in either theater," Gates said. [Times Magasine, Thursday, Feb. 07, 2008]

I think the Secretary of Defence knows more than you.

[Athaeus]

"they wont send the F-22 to iraq cause there are no planes for them to fight...and other better bombing planes can carry out the bombing missions."

---

That was the opinion of the Secretary of Defence as well.

There are no F-22's carrying out missions in either Iraq or Afghanistan, and there never has been.

(Just search for "Gates Down on the F-22 - TIME")

Take care.

[blair91234]

and to think we defied an F-15 mechanic...lol

[amcrespo801]

i totally disagree the F-22 are actually hidden aircraft in 2 ways they dont run them as much and they keep more secret about the F-22 missions my cousin of the USAF flys an A-10 and he says hes seen a few F-22 bombing operations rare tho due to its not made for Bombing but it can be the F-35 Lighting Still under the F-22 will be a good bomber and is replacing the A-10 and the Navys SUper Hornet but f-22 have done a few bomb missions and did them well over in Operation Iraqi Freedom

[Athaeus]

Amcrespo

Ever heard of punctuation marks?

Do you really talk like that? No breathing in between?

"the F-22 are actually hidden aircraft"

---

Stealth aircrafts mean it has a low radar signature, not that they never announce using it.

"but f-22 have done a few bomb missions and did them well over in Operation Iraqi Freedom"

---

Don't you mean Operation We-Want-Oil-Through-Force?

They were never used there - so says the Secretary of Defence (who uses punctuation marks, by the way).

[amcrespo801]

yes they are hidden aricraft dumb ass we dont tell liver all the fucking missions for spy reasons ok dumb ass my cousin isin 74th Fighter Squadron USAF and he says that they dont release all missons of the F-22

[Athaeus]

"yes they are hidden aricraft dumb ass we dont tell liver all the fucking missions for spy reasons ok dumb ass"

---

Yet you claim your cousin revealed these 'top secret missions' to you, meaning he broke quite a serious law.

I doubt that...

"my cousin isin 74th Fighter Squadron USAF and he says that they dont release all missons of the F-22"

---

Well duh, of course all missions - no matter what aircraft - aren't released to the public. F-22 has no operations in Iraq though.

Capisce?

[amcrespo801]

ok u claim they dont have any missons i want ur proof i can get my proof F-22 are kept secret in missons but go on a Special bombing missons they are very rare but they do happen very rare he said but hes seen a few squadrons do very simple bombing missons usally they let the B-1's do the job and those are fuel tanks so u know thats a Test plane for the raptor

[amcrespo801]

and another thing in 2010 the F-35 Lightning II is going to replace most bomb units and the A-10 my cousin cant wait for the release of this it was already Inagurated but is not done yetthis will be the greatest jet ever and it multi roole to make it more powerful my cousin will not be able to pilot one and will stay with the hefty A-10 and next year i will be flying my first jet for the navy The SuperHornet but aviation is amazing for all off u who dream of flying USAF and US NAVY r the on foru

[99crusha]

And my Dads bigger than your Dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(calm down ladies,watch the video)

[dylanfernande]

haha good one lol

[shaliAnn]

And now folks, the winner for dumbest comment here is....'fredgt28'. Congratulations son!

'Even if its coated with radar absorbing materials it will never be enough to make it stealthy. and apparant from the looks the tanks are like any regular tanks, no shape changes. Face it, due to this, F-22 cant do much with its internal load only'

[laom20]

Why? He meant the first part referring to the ext. tanks... not the F-22. What he said is correct...

[NTTKR]

r u retarded external fuel thanks r used to travel long distances and they r ditched right before entering danger zones.

[sm0othockeyspeed]

It looks ridiculous without them but to me it's even tougher and meaner looking with the ext. tanks on. Wow...What a sexy machine.

[airnutnogut]

those tanks are built with radar absorbing material and are designed with some cross section in mind soo it remains as stealthy as the fighter

[fredgt28]

LOL, you are in denial. Even if its coated with radar absorbing materials it will never be enough to make it stealthy. and apparant from the looks the tanks are like any regular tanks, no shape changes. Face it, due to this, F-22 cant do much with its internal load only.

[ymayhon]

Actually, it can go 1800 Miles before needing to refuel, these pods are used before interning Combat and are dropped before Combat. And these are usually used where no air combat is going to happen (Air to Ground Combat or far of the coast of a country)

[FighterPilot72]

Wow, you talk like Krug from VG cats. Bad grammar, and no clue wtf you're saying.

[BIGwetbuttsFan]

Best USAF fighter!

[crasskicksfukinass]

If those ARE fuel tanks, or even AN/ALQ-99's, then...way to defeat the stealth part of the aircraft by helping to increase its radar cross-section. lmao

[vladimirivich]

you are right. if those are fuel tanks, that takes a big chunk out of the stealth design.

[DualShooter]

Big fat fuel tanks like that are only used for when the plane needs to fly long distances without a refuelling support plane, ie in transport.

[vladimirivich]

Yes im sure of that. But if they take those into combat they sure as hell will not be very stealth

[PatTheAnchor]

They never would.

[vladimirivich]

hope they wouldnt

[majormixer]

Good shot you lucky dog ! Some of us just dream about being around that aircraft.

I can only think of one that can compare to the F22 and that would be the Marine version of the

JSF f-35 or the " hypersonics at A 51 ".

One other awesome aircraft - A 380 !!

Fighter supplement- SU 27 aerobatics. MMM !

Fighter doing a backflip under total control !!!!!!!! Pilots dream !!

[fredgt28]

LOL, actually I have seen the F-22 factory in Marietta Georgia during a Georgia Tech tour guide. It was nice although production seems awefully slow and the aircraft doesnt seem as big as I thought. Or maybe i was just far away. As for the SU-27, I have seen the Venezuelan Su-30 fly past by really low. Its nice aircraft. BTW, I also seen the F-22 fly over my house since its next to the factory. Comparably, the F-22 is actually louder than the Su-30. No kidding....

[laom20]

Hahahah, no offense, but you dont know a heck of what you're talking about.. First.. Su-30 is NOT su-27 (It is derivated from the Su-27 but its not a variant..), and for the noise factor.. dude.. Both the Su-35 and F-22 can be reaaaally noisy.. It just depends at what speed and altitude they're going when you hear them pass... And yes, Su-30 is a wonderful plane

[145Slap789]

One Bad Ass Fighter!

[ganymedeIV4]

hmmmmm.... lemme watch again.

Those just might be AN/ALQ-99's under the wings.

google it.

[highfleet]

You guys are funny:)). Stop arguing, I think you have better things to do than this.

[A320MD80MX]

"pedantic" and "I'm not the one woffling on about...", Jeeez, these guys sound like a couple of lil' school girls. Guys, this is YOU TUBE.....It's not where earth shattering revelations on the latest military stats and aerodynamic properties will be hashed out. It's just a cool place to watch off the wall videos that some lil' punks post......That's it. They should get a room.

[b1cc2]

no, no. Let them fight. it's awesome. One's an idiot 23yo that doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground, and the other claims to have 30 years in aerospace but can't spell or build proper sentences.

This looks like bullshitfest 2008!!

[arnaage]

After nearly 30 years of being involved in defense aerospace, I hardly need some snot-nosed kid to tell me I ought to educate myself on an issue I know backwards and forwards, sonny boy. You were wrong about the F-22. Admit it. Clearly, that's what I was refering too. I guess all you do it browse youtube videos, spout your brit bullshit everywhere, involving irrelevant incorrect, bullshit. Until you post the fucking video about how Israel beats 'combined US forces', fuck off.

[arnaage]

Megabrit, all you've demonstrated is that your knowledge of air to air combat couldn't fill a thimble.

Furthermore, try posting these rediculous claims to a true defense analist. Bill Sweetman, Kurt Plummer, Abraham Gubler, or even Eric Palmer. They are all contactable through the internet. To save you the time - you'll be destroyed.

[MegaBrits]

Now you're really looking a fool, as I need 2 ask Plummer, Sweetman + Gubler do I?

Constant Friendly fire + collateral damage, non existent 9/11 homeland security, so much so that the sky's were clear for Bin Laden to hit TWICE.

What's IS the use of an F-22 if the USAF are too blind/stupid to realise something is going on and thats all the way up?

Once a news reporter got into Buckingham palace - OOH.

Well an ENTIRE AIRLINER got into the Pentagon.

You've have NO idea.

[arnaage]

You said.

"This hugely expensive thing will get chased around the skies by 6 cheaper aircraft of at least 90% its capabilities."

You were wrong. Dead wrong infact. On fantasy lane. What is the use of an F-22? Read up. Now you're side tracking the discussion to involve 9/11 & Iraq. I never commented on either, so don't put words in my mouth.

Post the documentary.

[MegaBrits]

I will next chance. It was in fact YOU who clearly failed to correctly read my post about the war games documentary. Your type are too keen to look clever + correct people with your Jane's book experience - I guess its all you have in life.

I have done my bit and now at 23yrs old, I suggest you do your bit as well, unless you're a non Brit and only after the Australia that Britain created, with no devotion to it.

Remember - the most dangerous weapons are useless in the hands of a fool.

[MegaBrits]

typo = "Bin Laden to hit 3 TIMES"

[smarr55]

wtf? why does he need wingtanks at an airshow?

[swedishvolvo]

I don't think that's airshow footage.

[Lordiisgod]

I've never seen an F-22 without fuel tanks...

[sadekgheidan]

I have never seen a F22 :P

[hisholyhoviness]

i just want to now this .are all u gys here with ur expert oinions pilots?cos if not u are all some serious geeks.

[jorgesampaio]

I love the F-22. It's so pretty...

[tylerj036]

that is rare cause the f 22 and f 35 were built to hold internaly not externaly

[kdraper2007]

I can't believe people are stupid enough to complain that the Rapter can carry external stores, it is only common sense. you don't need to be stealthy on a trans atlantic hop, so carring extra fuel externally is a great way to free up tanker assets that may be needed elsewhere. As to the Rapter having too little payload capacity, it can carry the same load as an F-15 internally, meaning that if weapons are carried external, that it carries more then other fighters in its class.

[MegaBrits]

Theres the stealth gone.

[CoombesterUK]

Beat me to it!

[MegaBrits]

The USA always do this, something with a tiny payload or hindered in role. Like WW2 they created a B-17 and Brits knocked up a mosquito which was faster, practically a fighter empty and could carry the same load. Compared to the grand slam Lancasters the B-17 was a well armed handbag.

This hugely expensive thing will get chased around the skies by 6 cheaper aircraft of at least 90% its capabilities.

Mind U the F-22 is designed to look good when your wearing sun glasses so thats OK - LOL.

[jetroavery08]

you're mega-stupid

[MegaBrits]

Well if anyone would know - Its you.

[stickywilly38]

Shove it up your ass MegaBrit. The F-15 is the most combat proven aircraft of modern times (Russians have incredible jets but they aren't as heavily proven.) And guess what.. The Air Force did tests in which they launched a mock attack where they launched 18 F-15E's against one F-22.. Guess what happened? The F-22 had "confirmed" (nobody died) kills on all 18.. And none of the F-15 pilots even knew where the F-22 was. Shove it up your ass...

[MegaBrits]

So when you beat predator in a video game, do you really believe you can do it?

Did you know that recently the USA ran a war game simulation with Israel and Israel beat the United states combined forces and so America scrubbed the contest as a computer error?

I will post the video about it this week, you can SEE the US staff talking about it.

So given what I just said (you dick), are computer scenarios always correct, because if so then America is now militarily Israel's bitch?

[stickywilly38]

How in the fuck do you think Israel got to the point they are at now? Who do you think gave them everything in the first place? The U.S. may have lost that war game, Israel has a great military. But we are allies, it was just a game. We have backed Israel from the rest of the middle east for quite some time now. Nobody is anybody's bitch. And i don't think if we threw all our card on the table Israel would not even be able to come close. We have everything from Knives to Nukes. Bitch...

[arnaage]

That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. And, LMAO, real life training exercises are _NOT_ computer simulations. :@@:

[MegaBrits]

Ditto - a fool.

[MegaBrits]

I will post the documentary at the weekend (An American doumentary as well) just for a childish fool like you.

You know nothing, your a joke.

[arnaage]

I'm a joke. I'm not the one woffling on about make beleive fantasy worlds. Nor am I the one with 'the documentary'. LMFAO!!! Instead, I am the one who has the entire professional defense industry behind me.

'The Documentary' will most likely be the some garbage over and over again. Russian 'anti-stealth' claims, f-22 maintainence issues, F-22 heating issues, structural issues, & will likely involve idiots such as Riccioni. These are false. KNOWN AND VERIFIED.

[MegaBrits]

As said, I'll post the prog for your perusal, you're so childish.

It contains none of the shortcomings you list, it's describes the US war games with Israel in which the combined US forces lost repeatedly, so the data was scrapped in favour of systems too costly to admit had failed. Many worry about the technology only based US war machine.

Afghanistan + Iraq show how just a peasant with an RPG or IED can stop America.

Even though your clearly no pilot, your a pedantic, data only, fool.

[MegaBrits]

F**k me your an Australian, you have to be an immigrant, your no Brit.

[MegaBrits]

So you think they spend millions seting up a bad computer scenario?

Why can't Americans just accept reality.

So key world when speaking American are = "it wasn't" "we could have", "What if", "I guess", "they might", "we couldnt" and the best one of all used for defeat = "we withdrew with honour".

What honour is their in getting your arse kicked.

[stickywilly38]

Do you even have any idea what your talking about? Do you know the real reason we left Vietnam or do you know what you were told.. Do you know why fighting in Iraq is difficult? Or do you just watch the news? Are you british or just retarded? Oh wait, right now your making it seem like they are one in the same..

[Chrisspitz]

Just forget him.

We have been allies with Israel for a long time, and the simulation was an error.

He obviously doesn't have his facts straight. Other dumbass countries talking shit because they think were all messed up are all just crying because we started these alliances.

Im guessing your from, why are you complaining to nearly every post here or crying to it.

Find a life.

Simulation's aren't always video game's if life effects are added.

[sadekgheidan]

True but FUCK Israel.

The F22 will pwn EVERYTHING that is unlucky enough to get in it's way.

So please Mr "MegaBrits" go get those outdated Israeli F-15's and shove 'em up your ass- ALL THE WAY to the afterburners.

P.S. I am not an American, Nor do I live in the USA.

I just have got my facts straight ;)

IT--

[arnaage]

It can carry a maximum of 8 missiles internally and about 5 seconds worth of ammo... I'd love to see a F-22 beat 10 F-18s WVR. :@@:

[arnaage]

Megabrits. Are you in fantasty land again?

There are no aircraft at 90% of the capabilities of the F-22, Let alone 50% of the capabilities. Hm... yeah. 6 Aircraft. No such force exists. And cheaper aircraft are vulnerable to SAMS. In the 70's I bet you were the dickheads who wanted us to get 50000 F-4 Phantoms instead of the F-15 - same logic applies, eh? Moron.

Speaking of hugely expensive aircraft, why don't you look at your pile of shit. Aka. Eurofighter. 10% of F-22, 90% cost. So STFU.

[MegaBrits]

Your a fool.

[undertake782]

There are some situations where you don't need stealth that they can put weapons on the outside. The F-22 with an external load can hold more than the current aircraft. With an external and internal load together it can have up to 14 AMRAAMs or 8 250LB JDAMs/2 1000 Pound JDAMs and 8 AMRAAMs + 2 sidewinders + 4 external fuel tanks or 4 long range air to ground or medium range air to ship missiles or 4 2000 pound or smaller bombs. With external load, the F-22 will still be low observable.

[rbaechle1111]

to maintain an f-22 is way cheaper and way easier than all previous us fighters and the us will not sell one for quite some time not even to isreal or the uk

[dagnemrth]

At the end of the day F22 still launches missiles, it might single handily equate a few older generation aircraft in aerial combat (with a real enemy, not iraq), but it costs about the same as well...

In any combat where F22 might be needed, such as against Russia or China, they have radar that can detect F22 anyway, that's why I'm not counting on F22 being seen in action anytime soon, not until F15s all fall apart that is.

[TygrysBengalski]

AWACS has a hard time seeing these planes, and in Kosovo it turned out that the best Eastern radars could see the F-117.

The Nighthawk is stealth by 1982 standards, not by early 2000's standards, so radar tech still has a long way to go.

[R7300]

raptor pilots are usless right now, all they do is fly around in circles while other pilots do the real work

[mustangwkc]

you do realize raptor pilots are the best fighter pilots the USAF has to offer? who do you consider to be better pilots? I'm interested, the only other pilots I'm aware of that are better than the United States would be israel's

[undertake782]

Like the time the Israely pilot had an incident and put after burner on and land his F-15 Eagle safely at 300 Nautical miles even though he had his whole right wing torn off. I agree that there are very skilled pilots in the Israely Airforce

[superbummy]

i believe external fule tanks would be completly useless on an f-22

[mustangwkc]

well i belive your wrong

[bubu7774]

F22's can refuel in flight, no need to compromise the stealth characteristics with external tanks. They just showed it to demonstrate its capabilities of able to carry more stuff externally if needed. SU-37 is an over rated Su-27, soorry (it's only a marketing stuff that often people fall for).

[cv22osprey]

External fuel tanks can be dropped, so stealth while in enemy territory is not compromised. There is even talk of making a speedpack for the '22 much like the ones on the F-15.

[whorf23]

Uhh they might need to FERRY the aircraft a long distance without the use of tankers...

Also at some times during a war situation, stealth would not be an issue...Let's say the enemy figures out how to see the plane? Then the ability to carry fuel could increase time in the air.

[RmanDC]

Youre forgetting the price. F22 is 3 times more expensive than SU-37 at purchase.

Also, let's immagine that US actually SOLD someone an F22. The maintenence cost will also be tripple if not more that of most competitors. US policy dictates that planes are to be maintained by US contractors and all spare parts are to be manufactured in the states. Cost Cost Cost. Where as the russians are selling liciense along with the plain. India is an example, where russia is helping to build a plant.

[TygrysBengalski]

Buying cost isn't proportional to maintainance cost.

Also- the Su-37 is a modern Su-27, much like the F-16E Block 60+ is a modern F-16A.

F-15's and F-16's lose against F-22's even outnumbering them 4:1, so the Raptor is worth it's cost.

[RmanDC]

You can't just say

"Ou, those planes are aproximatly from the same time and of the same generation, so Naturaly they are evenly matched"

I woudnt want to be the pilot of the raptor in a 4 F15 vs 1 F22 situation.

[F22RaptorFF]

1 f-22 has takin on 8+ F-15's and still won. we just had an exercise at Langely and took 250 more kill's in the F-22 and no loss's agian. so far the F-22 has not been shot down simulated and the F-22 is better than the Su-37 no doubt

[mustangwkc]

its the quality of the plane, the U.S is the richest country in the world, so it can spend more on its military, where as russia does not have the funds to produce quality aircraft with good avionics, it may look cool, but the technology in a su-37 is conidered to be ancient when compared to the f-22. also, the f-35 is being sold to other countries in many different varients, and it is less expensive to fly/ maintain then the f-22.

[viggenxfiles]

You mean everything on an offensive military force, and nothing to take care of its own citizens? Thats not rich - it's stupid.

[ashmorep]

our citizens dont need a government to take care of them like some castrated european populace. those liveing below the poverty line have more wealth than the upper middle class of say, south korea. Its rich when even your poor are wealthy relativle speaking.

[arnaage]

RmanDC, Su-37 is not in production. The best Sukhois Russia has is the outdated Su-27 w/ N001 PILE-OF-SHIT radar. All there industry has to show is a limited amount of updated Flankers. Big fucking deal. :@@:

[ilja231986]

look it:

SU-37 / Су-37 'Терминатор'

[CrotchRocket78]

Though the radar cross section would be increased, its still less than your typical fighter. That F-22 was on a ferry mission, basically long distance travel to either across the US or another country. Thats the only time they will carry external tanks.

[Knightfang1]

correct, an f-22 with external stores is still a weaker radar return than an f-16 or a mig-29, and i can't tell from this vid but there has been talk of developing stealth tanks and weapon pods for the F-22 raptor and the f-35 Lightning II's wing mounts. not sure how much has been done yet though.

adding fueltanks probably takes the f-22's detectability from 1-2 miles to 15-20 miles. where a standard jet is as much as 75-150 miles.

[Euphorica]

I wonder howmuch the fuel tanks effect its "stealthyness"

[bujoun76]

Anything external almost completely destroys stealh! The fuel tanks and their pylons aren't configured for stealth at all but the Raptor, or any stealth aircraft, wouldn't go into battle like that unless the enemies air defences have been sufficiently surpressed!

[BuyUSAsEthanolKilOil]

can they fly a distance and then drop the fueltanks to regain stealth

[bujoun76]

It's possible but the Raptor would have to have a system for closing the holes left behind by the pylons. I dont know if that system is there. Usually not though! The Raptor can fly most of it's missions at mach 1.7(about 900mph)! It wont need external fuel tanks while on the battle field or even near it. The Raptor only needs the tanks for long distance delivery of itself!

[balzich14]

ive seen an entire sqaudron of F-22 Raptors take off right on tyndall AFB while on an ROTC trip

[texass2w1]

no you didnt. i work at tyndall and we have never launched an entire squadron

[kinggodzilla87]

What is an entire sqaudron of F-22 Raptors

4 jets = like 24 F-15s

[Knightfang1]

The 27th tactical fighter squadron based at Langly AFB has 26 F-22A's i assume this is the standard for a raptor squadron. there is also a second raptor squadron at langley but i don't have details on it.

[kinggodzilla87]

thank for the info

but damm 26 F-22A's could could kill an air force lol

[kinggodzilla87]

thank for the info

but damm 26 F-22A's could could kill an air force lol

[ZHOENIX360]

Hoorah! Hot damn, yes they could!

A wing of Raptors = Uber uber overkill.

With extra uber :P

[Knightfang1]

yeah it is almost unheard of to launch an entire squadron. Usually you will only see 2,4,or 6 plane flights