Aerospace

F-22 Raptor jet sets new record, 28 air-to-air missiles loaded & fired

#F-22 #Raptor breaks new record for most missiles loaded and fired

The 94th Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida smashed the previous record for the most air-to-air missiles loaded and successfully fired by an F-22 Raptor.

28 air-to-air missiles valued at more than $14 million

As a cohesive team, the units employed 28 air-to-air missiles valued at more than $14 million during WSEP 22.12, deeming them the most successful unit to attend a WSEP thus far. They also demonstrated a high level of proficiency while shooting the F-22’s six-barrel, 20mm Gatling gun, and the M61A2 Vulcan at the Advanced Gunnery Target System.

The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is an American single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather stealth tactical fighter aircraft produced for the US Air Force. Despite being designed as an air superiority fighter, the aircraft can also conduct ground assaults, engage in electronic combat, and gather signals intelligence. While Lockheed Martin, the F-22’s prime contractor, built the majority of the aircraft’s airframe and weapon systems and oversaw final assembly, Boeing provided the aircraft’s wings, aft fuselage, avionics integration, and training systems.

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F 22 specifications

This aircraft can be operated by a single crew and has a wingspan of 44 feet, a height of 16 feet, and a length of 62 feet. Four 5,000-pound-capable underwing hardpoints are present on the F-22. At altitude, it can reach a top speed of Mach 2.25, or up to 2,414 km/h. It can fly at a height of 65,000 feet and has a combat range of 850 km and a ferry range of 3,220 km.

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The F-22 has a maximum altitude of 10 miles and is capable of sustained supersonic flight. Without using afterburners, the F-22 flies at a speed of above Mach 1.5 thanks to “Supercruise.” Even at high speeds, the F-22 Raptor can accelerate swiftly and make razor-sharp maneuvers.

Weapons aboard the F-22 fighter jet are primarily intended for use against airborne targets. It’s important to understand that the pilot can launch standoff attacks on ground targets. Lethal long-range air-to-air and air-to-ground armament are among the US F-22’s many strengths. The F-22 fighter uses stealth technology to operate almost radar-undetected.

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Only 195 aircraft had been built.

The fifth-generation fighter jet, the F-22, made its debut in 2005 after making its first flight on September 7, 1997. Owing to technological confidentially, the export of this aircraft was restricted. Additionally, the manufacture of this aircraft ceased in 2011 due to an expensive budget program. Despite this, Lockheed Martin improved its technology to keep up with the current generation of fighter jets. So far, only 195 aircraft had been constructed.

Related Topics:F22 Lockheed martin raptor

Aerospace

EASA Ends Suspension on PIA, Approves Flights to Europe

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The suspension of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from operating in Europe is finally over, marking a significant turning point for Pakistan’s aviation sector.

After years of scrutiny and stringent safety assessments, the European Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have officially lifted the ban on PIA. This decision also grants Airblue authorization to operate flights to Europe, further enhancing Pakistan’s connectivity with the region.

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PIA’s suspension, initially imposed in June 2020, was a direct consequence of concerns regarding the oversight capabilities of Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA). These concerns were triggered shortly after a tragic PIA plane crash that claimed 97 lives, prompting an investigation into the validity of pilot licenses issued in the country.

Now, after four years of continuous efforts and reforms by the PCAA, EASA has expressed renewed confidence in Pakistan’s aviation regulatory framework. In a statement, EASA highlighted that Pakistan has successfully addressed safety compliance issues, enabling PIA to resume its operations within the European Union.

A spokesperson for PIA expressed optimism, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to strictly adhere to EASA’s regulations and guidelines. “This milestone has been achieved after four years of relentless efforts by the PIA management,” the spokesperson said.

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The lifting of the ban is expected to have a profound impact on PIA’s future. The airline, which employs over 7,000 people, has faced criticism in the past for poor management, financial instability, and regulatory challenges.

However, the restoration of European operations is seen as a vital step toward regaining its competitive edge, improving its financial standing, and restoring its reputation on the global stage.

Pakistan’s government, which has been exploring options to privatize the debt-laden national carrier, is hopeful that this development will attract foreign investment and bolster the country’s aviation industry.

With a renewed focus on compliance and safety, PIA is now poised to rebuild its presence in Europe, offering Pakistani travelers and international passengers more connectivity and improved service.