[Xfactor]

F-22 Raptor from an airshow in 2008.

[firedog25]

The F-22 is quite an impressive feat of engineering although the X-23 was supposedly the more superior aircraft. Lots of conjecture about how the 22 beat the 23. The 23 was faster, more efficient, carried a bigger payload, and all that jazz.

That said, I've seen the F-22 at two airshows at Edwards AFB. It was pretty impressive to see it perform a maneuver that I've only seen propeller driven aircraft do. It's called The Elevator, it goes up vertically and then hovers in a vertical position for a bit, levels out and takes off.

[firedog25]

The T-50 looks suspiciously like an F-18 Superhornet rip off.

What makes the F-22 far superior to anything in the skies, even the new F-35, are it's stealth and targeting capabilities as well as it's ability to go mach 2+ without the use of afterburners. The supercruise ability not only reduces fuel consumption but also heat signature at speed. There's really not much I can't tell you about it because what I know is publicly available knowledge. Suffice to say I've never even seen all it's capable of and no one except the pilots and engineers know... well, them and the enemy whenever this bird sees serious combat. I know for a fact the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is no where near a match for the F-22 because there's no way we'd produce a brand new fighter, share it with other nations, and not have the ability to beat it down like a pinata at will.

[firedog25]

BTW: just a little add on, while the T-50 does have stealth shapes, there's MUCH more to stealth aircraft than just shaping. The materials and what not also contribute and I have no idea what they use. I just know that the aircraft are toxic if on fire and if I get debris on my gear it's trash.

[Xfactor]

Correct,
however the f-22 raptor is 15 years old. We should see a replacement
soon.

[firedog25]

You won't see a direct replacement for the F-22 for some time. The F-16 will be in service until 2030 and hte B-52 won't end it's service life until sometime in the 2040's... yes, it will be damn near 100 years old by the time it retires.

[Xfactor]

It’s expensive. Just like cell phones use to be. Now you get more for your money.
Soon we can build one with better performance and cheaper.
Don’t forget the production of the f22 has already stopped.

[firedog25]

I know, but it won't be replaced for a very long time, that's called getting a return on our investment. Just because production has stopped doesn't mean that it's going to be replaced. Fighter craft are not like cars or computers. There's not even a competition going between the companies for another fighter or even a bomber. Right now the big deal is the next generation air fueller.

[dssxdss2]

OoOoOoOOoOOooOohh...

The F22..

The T-50..

The Su-37..

Fuck that shit.

Theres only one true master of the skies..
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The dildo-copter

[Xfactor]

Originally Posted by firedog25 ↗

I know, but it won't be replaced for a very long time, that's called getting a return on our investment. Just because production has stopped doesn't mean that it's going to be replaced. Fighter craft are not like cars or computers. There's not even a competition going between the companies for another fighter or even a bomber. Right now the big deal is the next generation air fueller.

Good Point,
It just seems like our military always unveils a new weapon when you least expect it.