[Moi]

POrtanto, ó Tiger22, tu és um gajo inteligente que não acredita nas mentiras do Michael Moore, e os outros que pensem ao contrário são parvos.

Boa filosofia...

O que é certo é que antes como agora nunca foi estabelecida uma ligação entre o regime de Bagdade de Sadam Husein com a Al-Qaeda, bem como a sua intenção em ter e desenvolver armas de destruição massiva.

E até os próprios falcões de Washington já o assumem. Mas há mais papistas que o Papa deste lado do Atlântico...

Quanto ao tema do tópico, em relação ao F/22, e perante alguns membros do fórum que o defenderam num outro tópico, reconheço que de facto têm razão quando dizem que antes de 2010 os EUA terão um número considerável de F22 no activo.

Afinal eles são capazes... curiosamente fazendo-se valer de uma filosofia «tão portuguesa»... atirar dinheiro para cima das «feridas»...

De facto, com este potencial quem os pára?

Como se o terrorismo se combatesse com F22...

Como alguém disse... prioridades...

Cumprimentos

[JLRC]

Algumas fotografias do F/A-22

[JLRC]

Lockheed Martin Rolls Out First F/A-22 Raptor Bound for Langley Air Force Base
 
 
(Source: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics; issued Oct. 27, 2004)
 
 
 MARIETTA, Ga. --- Lockheed Martin rolled Raptor 4041 out of its final production assembly facility today, marking a milestone in the F/A-22 program. Aircraft 4041 is the initial F/A-22 for the Air Force’s first operational, combat-ready squadron of Raptors.  
 
Once complete with post-production preparations and flights, aircraft 4041 will be accepted by the Air Force and delivered to the 1st Fighter Wing’s 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., for use as a combat dedicated aircraft. Previously delivered F/A-22s are now being flown by Air Force pilots at Edwards, Nellis and Tyndall Air Force Bases for pilot training, tactics and testing to support the growing fleet.  
 
More than a year ago, parts from nearly 1,000 suppliers and sub-assembly facilities across 43 states began arriving at the Marietta plant as ship 4041 began its journey through the final assembly process. The production of an F/A-22 represents a tremendous effort, culminating in a transformational and revolutionary aircraft.  
 
“All of this work is for one reason, to maintain America’s air dominance role for decades to come,” said Rob Weiss, deputy vice president for F/A-22 Business Development.  
 
The Raptor’s combination of stealth, integrated avionics, maneuverability and supercruise (supersonic flight without afterburner) gives the F/A-22 “first-look, first-shot, first-kill” capability against any potential enemy aircraft and anti-access surface-to-air threats. The F/A-22 is designed to provide not just air superiority but to shorten wars and save lives.  
 
Raptor 4041 will arrive at Langley in early 2005. The squadron will enter initial operational capability later in the year.  
 
“As we roll out the first combat dedicated F/A-22 Raptor, we know its lethality, technological advances and superior performance will be placed in the hands of the best airmen and warriors on the planet,” Weiss said, as he addressed 1st Fighter Wing representatives and Lockheed Martin production line employees. “May its presence alone provide deterrence... but if deterrence fails, we know it will provide a level of air dominance never seen in history.”  
 
The 1st Fighter Wing has a long history serving as a leader in air superiority and stands ready for the arrival of the first F/A-22 Raptor. The 27th Fighter Squadron is the oldest fighter squadron in the United States Air Force. As one of three squadrons of the 1st Fighter Wing, the squadron is tasked to perform air superiority missions. The 27th Fighter Squadron is also the first squadron at Langley to receive the F/A-22.  
 
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., a business area of Lockheed Martin, is a leader in the design, research and development, systems integration, production and support of advanced military aircraft and related technologies. Its customers include the military services of the United States and allied countries throughout the world. Products include the F-16, F/A-22, F-35 JSF, F-117, C-5, C-130, C-130J, P-3, S-3 and U-2. The company produces major components for the F-2 fighter, and is a co-developer of the C-27J tactical transport and T-50 advanced jet trainer.  
 
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[dremanu]

Uau!!!!

[JLRC]

Raptor Crashes at Nellis
 
 
(Source: US Air Force; issued Dec. 21, 2004)
 
 
 NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --- An Air Force F/A-22 Raptor crashed on takeoff here Dec. 20.  
 
The pilot ejected successfully and was taken to the base hospital for evaluation.  
 
The pilot and aircraft are assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron here.  
 
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[E-migas]

Raptor Crashes at Nellis
 
 
(Source: US Air Force; issued Dec. 21, 2004)
 
 
 NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --- An Air Force F/A-22 Raptor crashed on takeoff here Dec. 20.  
 
The pilot ejected successfully and was taken to the base hospital for evaluation.  
 
The pilot and aircraft are assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron here.  
 
-ends-

Já começa?

Será que vão conseguir produzir um número de aviões suficiente para compensar as perdas que ainda vão ter?

Pelo menos os assentos de ejecção funcionam!
Pelo menos aí uma nota positiva!

[emarques]

Ainda bem que não temos material tão caro, se nos acontecesse uma destas...

[J.Ricardo]

22/12/2004 - 23h47
EUA suspende testes de caças após queda de jato

 
da France Presse, em Washington
da Folha Online

A Força Aérea americana anunciou nesta quarta-feira a suspensão temporária dos testes da nova geração de caças F/A-22 Raptor, depois que um dos aviões caiu no estado de Nevada, na segunda-feira.
De acordo com o porta-voz Doug Karas, a medida foi tomada por precaução. Foi o segundo acidente deste tipo nos testes com os Raptor, desde a perda do protótipo, há 12 anos.
"Com as informações de que dispomos, não esperamos que [o acidente] tenha um efeito a longo prazo no programa", afirmou Karas.

Decolagem

O acidente de segunda-feira, do qual o piloto saiu ileso graças ao sistema de ejeção, aconteceu no momento em que o caça decolava da base Nellis da Força Aérea, no sul de Nevada.
O programa de Defesa americano prevê que os Raptor substituam, a partir do final de 2005, os F-15 Eagle como principais aviões de combate.
A Força Aérea testa estes aviões --avaliados em US$ 133 milhões-- nas bases de Nevada, da Califórnia e da Flórida.

[JLRC]

Looking For Cuts, Pentagon Turns To Jet Fighter Program
New York Times - Free Registration Required (WASHINGTON DEC. 29)

The Pentagon has told the White House and Congress that it plans sharp cuts in the Air Force's program for the F/A 22, the most expensive fighter jet in history, at $258 million per plane, in an effort that budget analysts said was intended to offset mounting deficits and the growing costs of the war in Iraq. The Pentagon's decision, which four administration and Congressional officials described on Tuesday and which Congress must still approve, comes as the Bush administration is pressing all agencies to scale back spending requests for the fiscal year 2006 budget, which will be submitted to lawmakers early next year.

[Paisano]

Pentágono reduzirá programa de aviões de combate F/A-22

Fonte: Tribuna da Imprensa

WASHINGTON - O Departamento de Defesa informou à Casa Branca e ao Congresso que projeta reduzir o programa dos aviões F/A-22, revelou ontem, o jornal "The New York Times". Em um artigo em sua página de internet, o "Times" indicou que a decisão é parte de um esforço por reduzir os déficit do Pentágono que aumentaram em conseqüência da guerra do Iraque.

O caça, conhecido como Raptor, tem um custo de US$ 258 milhões cada um e a Força Aérea tinha a intenção de adquirir 277 unidades. Um analista da indústria aeronáutica militar declarou ao jornal que o programa pode ser cancelado depois da produção de 160 aviões, o que significaria uma economia de mais de US$ 15 bilhões.

Fontes da Força Aérea indicaram que o Departamento de Defesa gastou mais de US$ 40 bilhões no desenvolvimento do aparelho que recentemente entrou na etapa de produção. "As reduções propostas refletem a convergência de fortes pressões orçamentárias impostas pela guerra do Iraque com as preferências dos encarregados da política em favor de uma menor ênfase nos programas de armas convencionais", disse Loren Thompson, analista do Instituto Lexington, um grupo que promove a redução do aparelho burocrático.

A Casa Branca está sob fortes pressões para que reduza os déficit federais e assegure o adequado equipamento das tropas no Afeganistão e no Iraque. Segundo o jornal "The New York Times", o custo das operações no Iraque está chegando a US$ 4,4 bilhões por mês.

[JLRC]

F/A-22 Passes Initial Operational Test, Evaluation
 
 
(Source: US Air Force; issued Feb. 1, 2005)
 
 
 WASHINGTON --- The results of a recently released Air Force study bode well for the future of the F/A-22 Raptor, officials said. The Raptor demonstrated “overwhelmingly effective” warfighting capability according to the initial operational test and evaluation report released by Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center officials at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.  
 
Every new system the Air Force acquires must undergo testing by the center, the service’s independent testing agency. Testing for the F/A-22 began in late April and was conducted primarily at the Nevada Test and Training Range. Additional tests were performed in simulators at a facility in Marietta, Ga., officials said.  
 
The tests are done to determine both the operational effectiveness and the suitability of the weapons system. The tests assess four critical issues identified by the warfighter: lethality, survivability, deployability, and maintainability.  
 
The determination of an aircraft’s operational effectiveness is based on the aircraft’s combat capability, officials said. During this testing, the Air Force flew as many as four F/A-22s in a variety of airborne simulated combat scenarios.  
 
According to the report, the F/A-22 performed more than two times better than the F-15C Eagle aircraft in similar tests. Additionally, the report states no adversary aircraft survived engagement with the F/A-22. For operational performance, the report deemed the Raptor “effective.”  
 
“The Raptor operated against all adversaries with virtual impunity,” said Maj. Gen. Richard B.H. "Rick" Lewis, Air Force program executive officer for the F/A-22. “The ground-based systems couldn’t engage the Raptor, and no adversary aircraft survived. That is air dominance, and that’s exactly what the Raptor was designed to give us.”  
 
The F/A-22 scored slightly less in the way of suitability. The center rated the aircraft “potentially suitable.” Suitability tests rate the ease at which the aircraft can be deployed and maintained.  
 
The center identified a number of suitability deficiencies in the F/A-22, which Air Force officials said they are already working to correct.  
 
Air Force officials said the rating indicates the progress the aircraft continues to make as it goes to initial operational capability.  
 
This December, the Raptor is expected to reach initial operational capability, which is the ability to conduct combat operations worldwide.  
 
-ends-

[JLRC]

F/A-22 on Track to Go Operational
 
 
(Source: US Air Force; issued Feb. 2, 2005)
 
 
 WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --- The F/A-22 Raptor, the Air Force’s next-generation air superiority fighter, performed well in recently completed operational testing and is on track to go operational in December, the director of the program’s combined test force said.  
 
Speaking prior to a lecture he delivered at the National Museum of the United States Air Force here, Lt. Col. Evan Thomas, a Raptor pilot who commands the 411th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., said testing finished ahead of schedule.  
 
“I’m very optimistic,” Colonel Thomas said. “The airplane did very well in operational testing.”  
 
He said the process of readying the Raptor for its operational testing -- from refining and validating the aircraft’s key attributes to training pilots -- proved a significant effort and enabled operational testing to be conducted successfully and ahead of schedule.  
 
Even so, Colonel Thomas said obstacles remain to be cleared between now and December. “There are still a lot of challenges,” he said. “It’s going to be an uphill fight throughout this year, not only for us on the Air Force Materiel Command developmental test side, but also for Air Combat Command units standing up the first squadron at Langley (AFB, Va.). These are challenges, but we can (overcome) them.”  
 
The 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley AFB -- the first squadron to transition to the Raptor -- received the first operational aircraft Jan. 18 from Tyndall AFB, Fla., where the 43rd Fighter Squadron is training future Raptor pilots.  
 
Pilots with the 27th Fighter Squadron will train on the aircraft by flying missions over the next few months while maintenance crewmembers will train on a separate F/A-22 that arrived at Langley AFB Jan. 7.  
 
Colonel Thomas said the aircraft’s package of stealth, supercruise and integrated avionics will give the Air Force and the nation the best capability to operate in combat environments.  
 
“Being able to proceed to a target at supercruise and get there very quickly to deliver a Joint Direct Attack Munition onto the target is a clear advantage,” he said. “You can’t have a fighter over every inch of enemy territory, but with a Raptor, you can have more of a central location and cover far more ground in a short time.”  
 
The F/A-22’s capabilities, combined with an understanding of history’s lessons, make the case for the Raptor’s value in future conflicts, Colonel Thomas said. “What 20th century warfare taught us is the overwhelming importance of air superiority,” he said. “That is an enduring air power lesson the Air Force has learned, and the F/A-22 is a key component in ensuring that we can establish and maintain air superiority anywhere in the world well out into this century.”  
 
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