F-22 Raptor News
2018
30 August 2018 | ACC
Oldest flying F-22 Raptor takes to sky again
Base leadership joined the 411th Flight Test Squadron and F-22 Combined Test Force, along with Lockheed Martin and Boeing representatives, to welcome back to life Raptor #91-4006, which has been on the ground for almost six years. The fifth-generation fighter was one of the first F-22 Raptors to have avionics installed for testing and has been at the 411th FLTS since it arrived in May 2001. After eventually getting approval and funding from the Air Force to overhaul the Raptor, a “purple” team of Air Force, Lockheed and Boeing personnel worked for 27 months here at Edwards to restore the jet back to flying status.
2017
31 October 2017 | Flight Global
USAF estimates F-22 updates could cost $1.7 billion
The US Air Force estimates it would cost more than $1.7 billion to update 34 Lockheed Martin F-22s from a training configuration to a fully modernized, operational status, according to a USAF report sent to Congress.
10 August 2017 | Flight Global
USAF returns mothballed Raptor to fleet
The US Air Force has taken a Lockheed Martin F-22 out of storage and plans to return the Raptor to flying status by the end of this year, a USAF source has confirmed to FlightGlobal.
30 June 2017 | ACC
95th FS F-22 Raptors reach milestone: 10,000 sorties down, still counting
The 95th Fighter Squadron achieved a major milestone June 26 flying it’s 10,000 F-22 Raptor sortie. The squadron was inactivated in 2010 then re-activated in October 2013, marking the beginning of a new era at Tyndall; to Project Unrivaled Combat Air Power.
2015
1 September 2015 | ACC
F-22 Raptor first training deployment in Europe
U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft assigned to the 95th Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., arrived at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, on Aug. 28, 2015. This is the first training deployment of the F-22 Raptor in the U.S. European Command theater. The U.S. Air Force deployed four F-22 Raptors, one C-17 Globemaster III, and approximately 60 Airmen and associated equipment to Spangdahlem, to train with NATO allies and partners.
23 February 2015 | Flight Global
Israel signs for next batch of F-35 'Adir' fighters
Israel's contract to purchase another 14 Lockheed Martin F-35 "Adir" fighters was signed late last week in Washington DC.
23 February 2015 | MILAVIA News
USAF F-22 Demo Schedule
Air Combat Command of the U.S. Air Force released the F-22 Raptor demonstration team's schedule for the 2015 airshow season.
2014
19 November 2014 | ACC
F-35 and F-22 combine capabilities in operational integration training
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The U.S. Air Force deployed four F-22 Raptors from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, to Eglin Air Force Base, earlier this month for the unit's first operational integration training mission with the F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 33rd Fighter Wing here.
24 September 2014 | Flight Global
Syrian air strikes mark combat debut for F-22 Raptor
The US military-led air launched over Syria on 22 September against Islamic insurgents marked the debut for US Air Force Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors in a strike role.
4 August 2014 | ACC
95th FS participated in first Red Flag as F-22 combat force
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- To sharpen their combat power skills, more than 120 personnel and 12 F-22 Raptors from the 95th Fighter Squadron completed two weeks of joint training at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. ending July 25.
9 July 2014 | ACC
F-22 pilot reaches 1000 hours
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A 43rd Fighter Squadron instructor pilot reached 1,000 flying hours in an F-22 Raptor July 9, becoming only the fifth person in Air Force history to achieve this milestone. Major Daniel "Magic" Lee has spent the last nine years flying the F-22 and logged 776 total flights in the aircraft. "This is a big deal for me and a historic moment for Tyndall," said Lee. Lee is the first pilot to achieve this while at Tyndall, which is home to the largest fleet of F-22s...
16 May 2014 | Defense-Aerospace
F-22 Availability Lags Despite $11Bn Investment
PARIS --- Despite large investments to modernize its F-22 fighters and improve their availability, the US Air force does not expect that the aircraft will ever meet its revised contractual availability rate of 70.6%. Availability is currently about 60%. ...
16 April 2014 | ACC
Last four 95th FS Raptors arrive
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The last four F-22 Raptors arrived from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., April 8, completing the 95th Fighter Squadron and making Tyndall AFB the largest contingent of the 5th generation jet in the world.
10 April 2014 | USAF News
Installation of backup oxygen system in F-22 combat fleet continues
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's F-22 Division is on-track to complete installation of the Automatic Back-up Oxygen System (ABOS) in the Air Force's F-22 Raptor combat fleet by December 2014.
27 January 2014 | ACC
F-22 demo pilot practices at Tyndall
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- While snow fell on the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team's headquarters at Langley Air Force Base, Va., the team's pilot took to the skies over the Florida panhandle to practice the routine for the upcoming air show season. "I love flying here," said Capt. John Cummings, F-22 Demonstration pilot who was stationed at Tyndall for F-15 Eagle and F-22 pilot training. "This is where I learned to fly fighter aircraft." While Cummings will do most of his training at Langley, Air Force Instructions require him to make three off-station practice flights of the routine before performing at an air show.
16 January 2014 | ACC
The Red Tails are alive, well
The legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen lives at Tyndall with the arrival of the 301st Fighter Squadron. The squadron is a U.S. Air Force Reserve Command unit that is comprised of combat-ready F-22 Raptor pilots, F-22 Formal Training Unit Instructors, and Adversary T-38 pilots as well as associated support personnel. The 301st FS is integrated across the 95th Fighter Squadron, 43rd Fighter Squadron, and 325th Training Support Squadron along with each of their missions.
7 January 2014 | ACC
First combat deployable F-22s arrive at Tyndall
Tyndall Air Force Base received the first five-of-24 F-22 Raptors scheduled to transfer from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Jan. 6 as part of the new combat mission. The aircraft are now a part of the 95th Fighter Squadron, which reactivated in October 2013.
2013
5 December 2013 | IHS Jane's
Ousted USAF chief continues controversial fight for F-22 production
General Michael Moseley, the former USAF chief of staff, once again called for additional F-22 production on 5 December Gen Moseley's remarks come five years after his F-22 advocacy led to his resignation
7 November 2013 | DefenseNews.com
USAF Pilots Develop F-22 'Rapid' Deployment
What began as an idea on a napkin in an Alaska bar is now a new US Air Force capability that could change how F-22s are deployed to the Pacific and around the world.
11 October 2013 | Flight Global
USAF activates new F-22 squadron at Tyndall AFB
The US Air Force is activating the 95th Fighter Squadron at Tyndall AFB, Florida, on 11 October, kicking off a process that will eventually see 24 additional F-22 Raptors being assigned to the base.
8 October 2013 | ACC
Tyndall achieves 25,000th F-22 Raptor sortie
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., -- Less than two weeks after the F-22's 10-year anniversary of arriving here, Team Tyndall achieved their 25,000th F-22 sortie during a 43rd Fighter Squadron Basic Course training mission Oct. 7.
4 April 2013 | Flight Global
USAF F-22 Raptors return to normal flight operations
The US Air Force's fleet of Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors has returned to normal flight operations following the completion of modifications to the aircraft's...
4 April 2013 | USAF News
F-22 resumes normal flight operations
The F-22 Raptor has resumed normal flight operations after modifications to aircrew life-support equipment were completed across the fleet, including the upper pressure garment and related hoses, valves and connectors. Completion of this task eliminates the need to restrict flight operations to remain within a 30-minute flying distance from an airfield suitable for landing.
21 February 2013 | Flight Global
Lockheed awarded $6.9 billion F-22 upgrade contract
The US Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a ceiling of $6.9 billion to upgrade the service's...
8 January 2013 | Flight Global
USAF to field F-22 life support mods this January
The US Air Force expects to start fielding life support systems modifications for its fleet of Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor air superiority fighters this...
2012
16 November 2012 | USAF News
F-22 Raptor crashes at Tyndall AFB
An F-22 Raptor crashed Nov. 15, at 3:30 p.m. on Tyndall Air Force , Fla., one quarter mile east of the drone runway.
17 September 2012 | Defense-Aerospace
USAF, NASA Leaders Review F-22 Findings at Hearing
WASHINGTON --- Air Force and NASA leaders testified Sept. 13 before the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces about the F-22 Raptor. Specifically, the leaders testified about the comprehensive studies, findings and actions taken and also underway to addres...
14 September 2012 | Defense-Aerospace
Alaska Reserve F-22 Unit Becomes Fully Operational
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --- The 477th Fighter Group here reached a readiness milestone Sept. 9 when Col. Bryan Radliff, 477th FG commander, announced that the group had achieved fully operational capable status. "Fully operation capable means that we are ready and able to execute ...
14 September 2012 | AviationWeek
NASA Decodes Trouble With F-22
Pilots could be taking in too much oxygen according to a NASA assessment
1 August 2012 | ACC
Air Force assures F-22 readiness following extensive testing
Following months of life support systems components testing in the F-22 Raptor, officials have "determined with confidence" the source of previously unexplained physiological incidents, the director of operations for the Air Force's Air Combat Command said July 31 at a Pentagon news conference.
15 May 2012 | USAF News
Panetta orders Air Force to take further steps on F-22
With safety remaining his top concern, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has ordered the Air Force to take additional steps to mitigate risks to F-22 pilots, George Little, acting assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, said May 15 during a Pentagon news conference. Beginning in 2008, a few pilots experienced hypoxia-like symptoms when flying the aircraft, Little said. Hypoxia is a deficiency of oxygen. There have been a total of 12 cases of these hypoxia-like symptoms affecting pilots. Little said the secretary has followed developments in the F-22 closely and has directed the Air Force to expedite the installation of an automatic backup oxygen system in all of the planes. In addition, effective immediately, all F-22 flights will remain near potential landing locations to enable quick recovery and landing should a pilot encounter unanticipated physiological conditions during flight, Little said. Finally, Panetta directed the Air Force to provide him with a monthly progress report as the service continues the search for the root cause of the problem. These steps are in addition to the measures the Air Force is already taking to determine the root causes of the hypoxia-like symptoms pilots have experienced. Panetta made this decision in part due to the reluctance of some pilots to fly the aircraft, Little said. ...
5 May 2012 | USAF News
ACC confident in F-22
Gen. Mike Hostage, commander of Air Combat Command, talked with media here April 30 about the national security imperative for the F-22, the status of efforts to identify a root cause for unexplained physiological incidents, and risk mitigation efforts since the Raptor's return to flying operations in September 2011. Confirming recent media reports of the F-22 deploying to Southwest Asia, Hostage emphasized the Raptor's ability to support combatant commander requirements around the world. ...
3 May 2012 | Flight Global
USAF receives last F-22 Raptor
The US Air Force has formally taken delivery of its last F-22 Raptor air dominance fighter from airframer Lockheed Martin ...
1 May 2012 | Flight Global
Some F-22 pilots decline to fly
A "very small number" of Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor pilots are refusing to fly the jet, a top US Air Force official says. "Obviously it's a...
1 May 2012 | DefenseNews.com
U.S. Deploys F-22 Fighter Jets to UAE: Officials
The United States has deployed sophisticated F-22 fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates amid deepening tensions between Iran and its pro-U.S. neighbors, officials said April 30.
30 March 2012 | Defense-Aerospace
USAF Has No Answer to F-22 Hypoxia Incidents
DoD News Briefing on F-22 Scientific Advisory Board Findings (excerpt)
15 March 2012 | Lockheed Martin
First flight for last Raptor
MARIETTA, Ga., March 15, 2012 — The final Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor took to the skies for its first test flight here yesterday with company test pilot, Bret Luedke at the controls. Raptor 4195 has a May delivery date and will join other F-22s in the U.S. Air Force’s 3rd Wing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
14 January 2012 | DefenseNews.com
DoD Tester: Toxins Suspected in 2011 Raptor Grounding
A Jan. 13 report from the Pentagon's top tester said the U.S. Air Force grounded its F-22 Raptors last year "due to suspected contamination problems associated with the aircraft environmental control system and associated onboard oxygen generation system form later April through late September 2011."
10 January 2012 | Defense-Aerospace
USAF Still Stymied by F-22 Oxygen Problems
The U.S. Air Force on Monday said it has not found a "smoking gun" to explain oxygen issues that grounded Lockheed Martin Corp's F-22 fighter jet for four months last year but has implemented steps to minimize problems. Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz told Reuters that a subpanel...
2011
16 December 2011 | Defense-Aerospace
How Much Has the F-22 Really Cost?
The 196th and final F-22 Raptor has rolled out of Lockheed Martin's factory in Marietta, Georgia. That means yesterday marked an end to more than 14 years of production for what's widely considered the most fearsome jet fighter in history. And also one of the costliest. So what's the cost? ...
16 December 2011 | Defense-Aerospace
Pilot Faulted in Alaska F-22 Crash
The Air Force made public a long-awaited report about the death of a pilot who crashed in the Alaskan wilderness in the military's most expensive fighter jet, the F-22 Raptor. An Air Force accident investigation board issued a report that said Capt. Jeff "Bong" Haney, 31, was at fault when his F-...
14 December 2011 | Key.Aero
Final Raptor Rolls Off the Line
Lockheed Martin has completed manufacture of the final F-22A Raptor, which rolled off the production line on December 13.
27 September 2011 | Defense-Aerospace
Lockheed to Study F-22 Hypoxia Issue
Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $24,363,993 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification for the F-22 Program to provide sustaining engineering and depot partnering task associated with non-destructive inspection organic capability, hypoxia root cause analysis, titanium cra...
26 September 2011 | Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor Resumes Test Flights
MARIETTA, Ga., September 26th, 2011 -- Lockheed Martin’s F-22 Raptor returned to the skies today here in a series of test and production flights, the first since a four-month fleet stand down was lifted on Sept. 19, 2011 by the U.S. Air Force. Aircraft flown are preparing for delivery to the U.S. Air Force. Specific delivery schedules and flight activities are being aligned in conjunction with customer specifications and testing parameters. F-22 final assembly line schedule was not impacted by the stand down and the team continues to roll out Raptors on time, with final aircraft completing in December 2011.
21 September 2011 | Flight Global
Hypoxia symptoms still pose mystery as F-22A returns to flight
Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptors have been cleared to fly for the first time in four months, but the oxygen problem that grounded them remains a mystery to the US Air Force.
20 September 2011 | ACC
F-22 fleet to resume flight operations
The Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz have recently approved an implementation plan developed by Air Combat Command officials that will allow the F-22 Raptor to resume flight operations after a four-month stand down.
7 September 2011 | Flight Global
Lockheed starts final assembly on last F-22A
Lockheed Martin has started final assembly on the US Air Force's last F-22A Raptor, as the delivered fleet remains grounded ...
13 July 2011 | Defense-Aerospace
Big Questions Surround F-22’s Grounding
Many pixels have been spilled on the recent grounding of the F-22 Raptor fleet, problems with the plane's oxygen systems, and the possible role of the oxygen system in the November 2010 crash of an F-22 in Alaska and death of its pilot. Here's a quick roundup of coverage of the latest problems facin...
11 July 2011 | Key.Aero
F-22 remains grounded: deliveries suspended
Deliveries of Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors to the US Air Force have been suspended.
6 May 2011 | CNN
Air Force grounds F-22s over oxygen system concerns
The U.S. Air Force has grounded its entire F-22 Raptor fleet amidst continuing concern over how the fighter jet provides oxygen to the pilot, according Capt. Jennifer Faerrau, a spokesperson for the Air Force's Air Combat Command.
28 April 2011 | Shephard
F-22 Depot Activation Team completes milestones
Rockwell Collins, as part of the F-22 Communications, Navigation and Identification (CNI) Depot Partnering Activation team, has successfully achieved two major program milestones that will enable Warner Robins Air Logistics Center (WRALC) to become the depot-level maintenance and repair location of F-22 CNI avionics.
23 March 2011 | Defense-Aerospace
After SW Asia, F-22 Kept Away from Libya
WASHINGTON --- One aircraft conspicuous by its absence over the skies of Libya is the Air Force’s vaunted F-22 Raptor air dominance fighter. The Lockheed Martin-built jet was likely benched due to its inability to communicate with other coalition aircraft and its limited ability to hit ground target...
2010
8 November 2010 | Flight Global
Lockheed starts post-F-22 transition in Marietta
Lockheed Martin has entered the final 12 months of a key transition phase at its massive final assembly plant for the F-22 in Marietta, Georgia.
8 November 2010 | Defense-Aerospace
Squadron Tests Newest F-22s, Fires Missiles
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --- F-22s Raptor crews from the 90th Fighter Squadron here deployed to Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 30, to participate in exercise Combat Archer, the air-to-air evaluation portion of the Air Force's Weapons Systems Evaluation Program.
1 November 2010 | Lockheed Martin
F-22 Raptor Performs Air Demo For First Time Over Dallas-Fort Worth
The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor performed its precision aerobatics at the Fort Worth Alliance Air Show Oct. 30-31, marking the first time the aircraft has demonstrated its aerial capabilities in the skies over the Dallas-Fort Worth area. F-22 pilot Maj. David ‘Zeke’ Skalicky of the U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Demonstration Team from Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base, Va., flew the Raptor during the performance, entertaining an estimated total crowd of 110,000 that attended the air show over the two days.
30 July 2010 | Key.Aero
USAF to consolidate F-22 fleet
The USAF is to axe one F-22 squadron.
29 July 2010 | USAF
Air Force Announces F-22 Fleet Consolidation
The Department of the Air Force announced today its actions to consolidate the F-22 fleet. The secretary of the Air Force and the chief of staff of the Air Force determined the most effective basing for the F-22. This requires redistributing aircraft from one F-22 squadron to units at four F-22 bases. A second squadron will be relocated to an existing F-22 base. The affected bases are: Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.: Deactivate one squadron of F-22s and disperse that squadron's aircraft to other F-22 units. Relocate the remaining squadron to Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.more...
19 July 2010 | Flight Global
FARNBOROUGH: USAF to demonstrate F-22 Raptor's performance
Although the US government last year opted to halt production of the Lockheed Martin F-22 without approving an international sale of the air superiority fighter, the Raptor is making a welcome return to the show.
1 June 2010 | ACC
Sky's the limit: Raptor pilot surpasses 4,000 hours
Raptor pilot surpasses 4,000 hours
16 March 2010 | Key.Aero
F-22 to return to RIAT
The US Air Force is sending an F-22A Raptor to the Royal International Air Tattoo.
2009
22 July 2009 | CNN
Senate rejects additional F-22 funding
The Senate voted Tuesday to block expansion of one of the country's most controversial and expensive defense programs, the F-22 fighter jet program.
2007
31 July 2007 | MILAVIA News
Lockheed Gets Five Billion USD For 60 Raptors
Lockheed awarded additional funding of five billion USD to build 60 more F-22 Raptors for the US Air Force.
2004
20 December 2004 | MILAVIA News
USAF F/A-22 Raptor fighter jet crashes
Monday a F/A-22 Raptor high-tech modern fighter jet crashed outside Las Vegas near Nellis AFB. The pilot managed to eject and parachute to safety before the crash. The pilot was taken to a nearby hospital. The aircraft was assigned to the 422 Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis AFB.
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