Length: 12.5"
Span: 9"
Code: NC09062

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics is the prime contractor and is responsible for the majority of the airframe, weapon systems and final assembly of the F-22. Program partner Boeing Integrated Defense Systems provides the wings, aft fuselage, avionics integration, and all of the pilot and maintenance training systems.

The aircraft was variously designated F-22 and F/A-22 during the years prior to formally entering USAF service in December 2005 as the F-22A. Despite a protracted and costly development period, the United States Air Force considers the F-22 a critical component for the future of US tactical airpower, and claims that the aircraft is unmatched by any known or projected fighter, while Lockheed Martin claims that the Raptor's combination of stealth, speed, agility, precision and situational awareness, combined with air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capabilities, makes it the best overall fighter in the world today. Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Chief of the Australian Defence Force, said in 2004 that the "F-22 will be the most outstanding fighter plane ever built."

The high cost of the aircraft, a lack of a clear air to air combat mission because of the lengthy delays in the Russian and Chinese fifth generation fighter programs, a US ban on export of the Raptor to other countries, and the development of the cheaper and more versatile F-35 have resulted in calls to end F-22 production. In April 2009 the US Department of Defense proposed to cease placing new orders, subject to Congressional approval, for a final procurement tally of 187 Raptors. The US Senate and House each passed 2010 budget bill versions without F-22 production funding in July 2009. Congress will combine these versions into one bill for presidential approval.

F-22 Raptor

In August, 2007, Lockheed Martin reached its "100th F-22 Raptor" milestone when it delivered the 100th unit to the US Air Force. The milestone unit, which carries Air Force serial number 05-0100, will be assigned to the 90th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.

Its first production of F-22 was delivered to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, in January, 2003. "Dedicated Initial Operational Test and Evaluation" was on October 27, 2004. Since 2004, 51 Raptors were in service, with 22 more ordered under fiscal year 2004 funding. Last August, 2007, the United States Air Force signed a $5 billion, multi-year contract with Lockheed extending production of the Raptors to 2011.

The F-22 Raptor, a fifth-generation American fighter aircraft that utilizes fourth-generation stealth technology, is an air dominance fighter. It is also equipped for ground attack, electronic warfare and signals intelligence roles as well and a critical component of the US Global Strike Task Force.

Weaponry:

• 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A2 Vulcan gatling gun in starboard wing root, 480 rounds
• 6× AIM-120 AMRAAM
• 2× AIM-9 Sidewinder
• 2× AIM-120 AMRAAM and
• 2× AIM-9 Sidewinder and one of the following:
• 2× 1,000 lb JDAM or
• 2× Wind Corrected Munitions Dispensers (WCMDs) or
• 8× 250 lb GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs

Lockheed Martin reached its "100th F-22 Raptor" milestone when it delivered the 100th unit to the US Air Force in September, 2007. Celebrate that milestone with this display model plane of the Raptor, an air dominance fighter. It is created by highly experienced craftsmen with great concern for details and accuracy of plane models.