First operational F-22 Raptor

摘要

Assembly of the firs operational F-22 Raptor air superiority fighter is underway at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company facilities in Fort Worth, Texas. Assembly of the mid-fuselage for Raptor 4018, as this F22 is designated, will take approximately 11 months. Once completed, it will be delivered to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics' Marietta, Ga., facility, where the aircraft's forward fuselage, wings, aft fuselage, and vertical and horizontal tails will be attached and its F119 engines will later be installed. Delivery of Raptor 4018 to Tyndall AFB is tentatively scheduled for early 2003.This comes after Air Force officials announced earlier this year, the completion of the final two requirements for initial production - first flight of Raptor 4006 and initiation of radar cross section testing.