The F-22’s current air-to-ground arsenal consists of the 1,000-pound GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and the SDB. However, much like with its air-to-air armament, the Raptor needs some new air-to-ground toys. The Department of Defense claimed the Raptor used these capabilities to great effect in Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, the counter-ISIL campaign in Syria and Iraq.
#F 22 raptor toy upgrade
In 2012, the F-22 fleet began receiving the Increment 3.1 “Enhanced Air Dominance” upgrade that gave the aircraft an improved capability to geolocate ground radars, added a synthetic aperture radar imagery mode and an electronic attack mode for the APG-77 radar, and allowed the Raptor to carry up to eight Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs) which could be dropped against up to four targets. The Raptor has become much more than the air-to-air fighter is was originally designed to be it has been provided true multi-role capabilities.
Ensuring the Raptor has this new toy to play with in its teens and beyond is critical for the F-22 to maintain its unquestioned superiority over all other air superiority fighters.Ĭhinese Computer-Generated Image of a J-31 firing a ramjet-powered PL-15 air-to-air missile. Rapid development, production and deployment of a longer-range successor to the AIM-120D, or a completely new long-range AAM should be a national priority. At this fall’s Air Force Association conference, General Carlisle pointed out the AMRAAM’s range disadvantage vis-a-vis the PL-15 and declared “out-sticking” the PL-15 was a high priority for the US Air Force. No less an authority than the current COMACC, General Herbert “Hawk” Carlisle has recognized the threat posed by the ultra long-range PL-15. A missile that can kill an adversary from 60 miles away presents a deadly threat to all US fighter platforms. According to published reports, the PL-15 exceeds the range of its predecessor, the PL-12, which boasts a maximum range of over 100km. On September 15th of this year, the Chinese successfully test fired this developmental missile and destroyed an airborne target drone. US fighter pilots long thought the AIM-120 to be far superior to any adversary missile, but the AMRAAM is now at risk of being outperformed by emerging AAM technology, chief among them the Chinese PL-15. Primary among the Raptor’s needs is a new, long-range AAM to replace the AIM-120. Specifically, Raptor needs upgraded AAMs, new air-to-ground weapons, and improved avionics such as a helmet-mounted display (HMD), a datalink that allows true information sharing with all US and coalition aircraft and an infrared search and track system (IRSTS). These toys are nice, but to truly compete with the other kids on the playground (the Chinese J-20 and the Russian T-50/PAK-FA), the Raptor needs a new generation of toys. Increment 3.2B provides improved geolocation, improved electronic protection and the ability to employ the next evolution of US air-to-air missiles (AAMs): the AIM-120D Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and the AIM-9X SIDEWINDER.
The F-22 is already scheduled to receive the Increment 3.2B upgrade over the next five years. Well, like any ten year old, the Raptor could really use some new toys. It seems like a pretty spoiled pre-teen to me. The Raptor already has stealth, supercruise, super-maneuverability, sensor fusion, and a proven record in combat. But what do you get for a ten year old that seemingly has everything? It would be easy to say “more siblings,” but let’s be honest: the Raptor production line is highly unlikely to be re-opened, so that is a non-starter. In honor of its tenth birthday, I searched for the perfect birthday present for the Raptor. On Decemthe Commander of Air Combat Command (COMACC), General Ronald Keys declared the F-22A Raptor reached Initial Operational Capability (IOC). General Ronald Keys, then Commander, Air Combat Command, declared the F-22A Raptor reached Initial Operational Capability on 14 December 2005, as then-Brigadier General Burton Field, 1st Fighter Wing Commander, looked on.