SYSTEMS & WEAPONS

摘要

The F-22's combat missions over Syria and Iraq have demonstrated the operational implications of its designed-in stealth, supersonic cruise performance and onboard integrated avionics and sensor systems. Together, they enable the Raptor to operate in airspace that would be denied to other aircraft. The F-22 relies on upgraded capabilities to provide situational awareness and air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons capabilities. Its systems remain a work in progress and the full potential of the design will only start to be reached once the planned upgrade of all combat-coded F-22s to Block 35 configuration is completed and Increment 3.2B operational. A number of upgrades have been incorporated into the F-22, both pre-planned and those put in place in response to an emerging need. For example, the onboard oxygen generator was changed in response to highly publicised hypoxia-like events that led to F-22s being temporarily grounded in 2012. Those problems have not recurred in more than three years and a permanent solution, the retrofit of the Automatic Back-up Oxygen System, is on track for completion this year.