[Lancer409]

Anyone have any really cool F-22 Raptor wallpapers (or high resolution pictures)? I have found some, but most of the pictures i've seen are either small, or really hazy. Anyone have any really sweet looking ones? I think they're really sweet jets (aesthetically pleasing, technologically amazing...) I hear a pair of raptors flew over the superbowl but I wasnt watching the game so I missed out.

[chabig]

During the National Anthem, a four-ship of two F-22s and 2 F-18s flew over. It looked very nice. By the way, I could only find one high-res photo:

http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/types/us...22/raptor1.jpg

Chris

[OreoCookie]

I thought the project got canned by Congress? What's the status?

[sugar_coated]

I believe such warplanes are useless in todays world.

For your needs, I tried to Google (images) and I think this will keep you busy!

http://images.google.ca/images?q=f22...=Google+Search

This view looks very impressive I my mind

http://kovy.free.fr/image%201024/f22-66.jpg

[Mister Elf]

Originally posted by OreoCookie:
I thought the project got canned by Congress? What's the status?

Still very much active, with the fighter being fully operational in 2007 (that's the last I've heard, anyway).

[jcadam]

Originally posted by sugar_coated:
I believe such warplanes are useless in todays world.

For your needs, I tried to Google (images) and I think this will keep you busy!

http://images.google.ca/images?q=f22...=Google+Search

This view looks very impressive I my mind

http://kovy.free.fr/image%201024/f22-66.jpg

The F-22 has the same mission as the F-15 (air superiority; i.e. killing other airplanes), and should replace it if the Air Force can purchase it in sufficient quantities.

Useless in today's world (I assume you pose the argument since the F-22 is a projecte initiated during the Cold War that is just now coming to fruition)? Against Third World Air Forces, extreme overkill, yes. But what about the Chinese Air Force of the near future..?

Might as well be prepared, World War III may yet come (and may come sooner if an adversary thinks we AREN'T ready to defend ourselves).

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally posted by sugar_coated:
I believe such warplanes are useless in todays world.

For your needs, I tried to Google (images) and I think this will keep you busy!

http://images.google.ca/images?q=f22...=Google+Search

This view looks very impressive I my mind

http://kovy.free.fr/image%201024/f22-66.jpg

Useless?

1. This aircraft will replace at least three different airplanes.

2. This aircraft will consolidate aircraft components (saving billions)

3. This will be the fastest fighter. Mach 1.7 without afterburners.

4. Thrust vectoring, thrust vectoring, thrust vectoring.

5. Russia never stopped manufacturing high quality fighters. You could buy one if you had enough money. We need to maintain air superiority.

[dcmacdaddy]

Originally posted by mitchell_pgh:
Useless?

1. This aircraft will replace at least three different airplanes.

2. This aircraft will consolidate aircraft components (saving billions)

3. This will be the fastest fighter. Mach 1.7 without afterburners.

4. Thrust vectoring, thrust vectoring, thrust vectoring.

5. Russia never stopped manufacturing high quality fighters. You could buy one if you had enough money. We need to maintain air superiority.

What is thrust vectoring?

[KeyLimePi]

Originally posted by dcmacdaddy:
What is thrust vectoring?

On most fighters the engine thrust blasts out of the engine in one direction. Vectored thrust allows the pilot to direct the thrust (up, down, left, right, etc.) coming out of the engine, giving you much greater mobility.

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally posted by dcmacdaddy:
What is thrust vectoring?

Basically, it's a way of aiming your thrust. This lets you achieve simply amazing maneuverability.

This airplane looks out of control... but in actuality, it's very much in control. The thrust vectoring permits extreme turns at very high speeds.
http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Mov...EM-0036-08.mpg

[barang]

Originally posted by jcadam:
Against Third World Air Forces, extreme overkill, yes. But what about the Chinese Air Force of the near future..?

Might as well be prepared, World War III may yet come (and may come sooner if an adversary thinks we AREN'T ready to defend ourselves).

Very good point. China will be the Russia of today.

[itai195]

Originally posted by mitchell_pgh:
Useless?
[...]

Apparently your 'strong on defense' Republican president disagrees with you. His 2006 budget for defense proposes ending the program by 2008.

[olePigeon]

Don't forget it's also a stealth fighter with all weapons conceals INSIDE the chassis. I'll see if I can dig up some videos of the F-22 shooting an AAMRAM. It's badass! Two compartments open up and the missile drops down and fires, then it closes up again.

This allows the F-22 to carry a complete armament while still maintain stealth capability. It's one of my 3 favorite planes of all time.

Not to mention that McDonnell Douglas is working to equip them with actual strike lasers effective up to 6 miles. The lasers work well in the open when the air can cool them, but they're having trouble adapting them to the F-22 because of heat concerns. From what I understand they're testing the lasers on the F-15.

[Mister Elf]

Originally posted by itai195:
Apparently your 'strong on defense' Republican president disagrees with you. His 2006 budget for defense proposes ending the program by 2008.

The program will be done by 2008-he didn't say he would end ordering.

[FulcrumPilot]

Frankly speaking, I think the future is in the UCAV's. So, I wouldn't be surprised if these ultra expensive manned fighter aircraft programs are cancelled.

[olePigeon]

Originally posted by Mister Elf:
The program will be done by 2008-he didn't say he would end ordering.

He's saving up for gay bombs.

[itai195]

Originally posted by Mister Elf:
The program will be done by 2008-he didn't say he would end ordering.

Ending the program means cutting procurement. What do you think it means? Total number of planes procured will be 179 instead of the initially planned 750.

[Lancer409]

Originally posted by itai195:
Ending the program means cutting procurement. What do you think it means? Total number of planes procured will be 179 instead of the initially planned 750.

What bothers me is how they keep scaling back the number of planes to be procured. if you look at the cost per plane, it makes a lot more sense to build them en masse. we could have far more planes for not much more (financially). now ... we're going to field a small batch of these exotics for an exorbitant price. THAT I disagree with... Why have medium fries for 1.25 if you can supersize it (gaining what? a lot more fries for only a few pennies?) ...


oh .. and china is buying up russia's best planes. i believe they also purchased a lot of aircraft and submarines during that "bailout" when russia's ruples plumetted. and china will not be the russia of today, they will be the russia of the past (back when they scared the bejeesus out of americans). you guys dont think about it much, but china is progressing VERY fast. and this isnt anti-chinese talk .. i'm chinese myself. just something to think about...


179 planes ... that's pathetic.


oh and google images didnt give me that many good quality pics.

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

I saw a show on Stealth and the designers were saying the plane should be painted pink as it would make it the least visible to the eye.

The pilots were thrilled with the idea. Well at least 9 out of 10 weren't

[shabbasuraj]

war?

[FulcrumPilot]

I believe that the present US airforce can kick anyones asses anytime anywhere, chinese or non chinese even 25 years from now, by then anyway space based or 747 based lasers will take care of anything the takes off from any hole or runway in the ground! hmm ok I'm dreaming!!! what the hell!! (follow this though--> http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?ID=36972 ). Anyway to get to my point what is required is help for the troops on the ground NOW and in the future and they need something like this probe NOW!!! This will be the kind of close air support that will win battles on any terrain. Although airpower has redefined battles in the recent past lets not forget if you can't land on the ground you have nothing in the end.

Forgive me for saying so - **** the raptor!



EDIT: Read this blog and you will understand what I mean!

[macaddict0001]

Originally posted by jcadam:
The F-22 has the same mission as the F-15 (air superiority; i.e. killing other airplanes), and should replace it if the Air Force can purchase it in sufficient quantities.

Useless in today's world (I assume you pose the argument since the F-22 is a projecte initiated during the Cold War that is just now coming to fruition)? Against Third World Air Forces, extreme overkill, yes. But what about the Chinese Air Force of the near future..?

Might as well be prepared, World War III may yet come (and may come sooner if an adversary thinks we AREN'T ready to defend ourselves).

The third world war is inevitable. Humans feel a need to fight. I doubt china will start it, but if they join in they will likely join on the korean side. I suspect that around 2008-2012 there will be a korean-american war. many country's will likely be involved. The reason for the war will likely be something like clinton gave you nuclear power-plants(so that you wouldn't attack the states) and now you are making nuclear bombs? You F*cktards.

[His Dudeness]

Originally posted by OreoCookie:
I thought the project got canned by Congress? What's the status?

They're being delivered in full flight status to Langley AFB as we speak.

[sieb]

Yea, AFAIK, delivery wasn't set to start until this year (2005). Next up is the Comanche helicopter then the Joint Strike Fighter. I would suspect by then that UAVs will be picking up roles.

[moonmonkey]

Originally posted by jcadam:
But what about the Chinese Air Force of the near future..?

I can imagine them fitting horns in the planes so they can remove the safety harnesses.

[sugar_coated]

Originally posted by mitchell_pgh:
Useless?

1. This aircraft will replace at least three different airplanes.

2. This aircraft will consolidate aircraft components (saving billions)

3. This will be the fastest fighter. Mach 1.7 without afterburners.

4. Thrust vectoring, thrust vectoring, thrust vectoring.

5. Russia never stopped manufacturing high quality fighters. You could buy one if you had enough money. We need to maintain air superiority.

Remember dear, the more potent and expensive a weaponry the more it will dictate your policies. This is a dangerous approach to the future. What is required in today's world is trust building not intimidation.

[Sarc]

Originally posted by sieb:
Yea, AFAIK, delivery wasn't set to start until this year (2005). Next up is the Comanche helicopter then the Joint Strike Fighter. I would suspect by then that UAVs will be picking up roles.

last I heard the comanche wnet down the drain ....

[jcadam]

Originally posted by macaddict0001:
The third world war is inevitable. Humans feel a need to fight. I doubt china will start it, but if they join in they will likely join on the korean side. I suspect that around 2008-2012 there will be a korean-american war. many country's will likely be involved. The reason for the war will likely be something like clinton gave you nuclear power-plants(so that you wouldn't attack the states) and now you are making nuclear bombs? You F*cktards.

Also consider, that with modern weapons of mass destruction, any such WWIII will be extremely violent and brief (a matter of days or weeks at the most, with the reconstruction spanning decades of course). We need to have advanced equipment in the active inventory. No time to ramp-up, produce weapons en masse, draft and train conscripts, etc. WWIII will be fought with the troops and equipment you have on hand NOW. You won't be building any replacement equipment for a while either, as your industry will have likely had the p*ss nuked out of it.

[typoon]

Originally posted by sieb:
Yea, AFAIK, delivery wasn't set to start until this year (2005). Next up is the Comanche helicopter then the Joint Strike Fighter. I would suspect by then that UAVs will be picking up roles.

I thought the F-22 Was the Joint Strike Fighter. Nevermind. It's the F-35 that is the Joint Strike Fighter.

[discotronic]

Originally posted by sugar_coated:
What is required in today's world is trust building not intimidation.

The US was feeling the same as you on Dec. 6, 1941.

[davecom]

Originally posted by sugar_coated:
Remember dear, the more potent and expensive a weaponry the more it will dictate your policies. This is a dangerous approach to the future. What is required in today's world is trust building not intimidation.

"Peace through strength." - Ronnie

[olePigeon]

Originally posted by davecom:
"Peace through strength." - Ronnie

"The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers." - Princess Leia

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally posted by sugar_coated:
Remember dear, the more potent and expensive a weaponry the more it will dictate your policies. This is a dangerous approach to the future. What is required in today's world is trust building not intimidation.

Dangerous approach? Building faster more maneuverable airplanes? It's a natural progression. It's not like these are new nukes or a orbital laser based platform. I'm all for trust building... but there is an old saying... "Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick"

[chabig]

Originally posted by olePigeon:
"The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers." - Princess Leia

Nice quote, but meaningless in this context.

[moonmonkey]

Originally posted by discotronic:
The US was feeling the same as you on Dec. 6, 1941.

Everyone else was already at war for two years before that, I don't think assembling an attack force in Hawaii counts as peace making.

[FulcrumPilot]

Originally posted by chabig:
Nice quote, but meaningless in this context.

You've got to be kidding me!! It makes sense to me!

[OreoCookie]

Originally posted by discotronic:
The US was feeling the same as you on Dec. 6, 1941.

Nope, America simply underestimated the Japaneseness in the Japanese.

[moonmonkey]

Originally posted by OreoCookie:
Nope, America simply underestimated the Japaneseness in the Japanese.

Never, ever, ever, ever underestimate Japaneseness.
I have some video's if you need proof.

[OreoCookie]

Originally posted by moonmonkey:
Never, ever, ever, ever underestimate Japaneseness.
I have some video's if you need proof.

No need to convince me, take a look at my location