F-22 Raptor; Jet

           The F-22s armament is made up of three internal weapon bays. In the Center bay it can hold up to “six compressed carriage medium range missiles in the center bay and one short range missile in each of the two side bays”. The F-22 carries its weapons internally to maintain its stealth capabilities and to reduce speed drag “resulting in higher top speeds and longer combat ranges”. Launching a missile only requires the bay doors to be open for less then a second. Having a quick launch time enables the jet to maintain its stealth and launch long range missiles while in supercruise. The F-22 also carries an “M61A2 Vulcan 20 mm rotary cannon” which is considered a “last ditch” weapon because it only holds 480 rounds; enough for about five seconds of firing. But because of the F-22s amazing stealth capabilities, it is capable of getting within gunfire range without even being detected; useful if you’ve run out of missiles (F-22 Raptor 2.5).

          The F-22 is powered by two Pratt and Whitney F119-PW-100 turbo fan engines with afterburner capability and two demensional thrust vectoring nozzles. Has a max thrust of 35,000 pounds with each engine. And although the top speed is classified to the public, sources estimate it at mach 2.25 or 1,500 mph ( U.S.Airforce).

          With stats such as these the F-22 can play roles other fighter jets have never even come close to. I believe that the F-22 is a huge asset. Because if you think of it, the F-22 may cost $142.6 million/jet and a F-15 may cost $27.9 million/jet but if you lose one F-15 out of every five, then you’re at the price of an F-22–which not a single one has been downed yet (F-22 raptor).