Final F-22 Raptor rolls off the production line »

By Leandro Maldonado
17 December 2011

The Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor programme for the USAF has now ended with the production of the 187th and final aircraft. © USAF

Marietta, Georgia, 13 December 2011 — Almost six years after the introduction into service of the F-22A on 15 December 2003, the final Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor « fifth-generation » fighter plane rolled off the assembly line here today and was celebrated during a ceremony recognizing contributions from many of the men and women associated with the design and construction of the Raptor fleet. This F-22 Raptor (USAF tail number 10-195, already earmarked for the Eielson-based 3rd Fighter Wing in Alaska) is being moved into production flight check before delivery to the U.S. Air Force in 2012, completing the operational fleet at 187 jets.

"This event honors the many men and women of Team Raptor who have taken this plane from concept to reality," said Jeff Babione, vice president and general manager for Lockheed Martin's F-22 program. "For the last 17 years, regardless of the challenges, they always remained singularly focused, delivering the world's greatest fighter. Each Raptor — from the first jet to last jet — is a reflection of the dedication, hard work and professionalism of our workforce."

The United States Air Force is the only operator of the F-22. It has ordered 187 aircraft with the last due to be fielded early next year. A far cry from what the United States Air Force originally planned ; when no less than 750 F/A-22 Raptors were seen as mandatory to equip its fighters squadrons !

The high cost of the aircraft, a lack of clear air-to-air combat missions because of delays in the Russian and Chinese fifth-generation fighter programmes, a definitive US ban on Raptor exports — Israel was a potential buyer —, and the ongoing development of the planned cheaper and more versatile JSF resulted in a strong decision to end F-22 production. In April 2006, the cost of the F-22 was assessed by the Government Accountability Office to be $361 million per aircraft, making the F-22 by far the most expensive aircraft ever purchased by the US tax payer.

Already by April 2006, $28 billion had been invested in F-22 development and testing; while the procurement cost per aircraft was estimated at $177.6 million in 2006, based on a production run of 181 airframes. It was estimated that by the end of production, $34 billion will have been spent on procurement, resulting in a total programme cost of $62 billion, that is around $339 million per aircraft. Each aircraft required some 1,000 subcontractors and suppliers and 95,000 workers to build, according to Lockheed Martin’s historian.The F-22 was in production for 15 years, at a rate of roughly two per month.

Operational F-22s are based at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.; Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; Holloman AFB, New Mexico and Hickam AFB, Hawaii. Air Force F-22 units have deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, and Andersen AFB, Guam, as part of regular rotational deployments designed to enhance security in the Pacific theater. F-22s have also conducted joint and coalition training both stateside and overseas in locations including the United Arab Emirates.

Current active USAF units operating the F-22 Raptor are the :

	The last F-22A Raptor (USAF 10-195) to roll off the Marietta flightline on 13 December 2011, six years after the aircraft's introduction to service. © Lockheed Martin

325th Fighter Wing, Tyndall AFB, Florida
• 43d Fighter Squadron

1st Fighter Wing, Langley AFB, Virginia
• 27th Fighter Squadron
• 94th Fighter Squadron

49th Fighter Wing, Holloman AFB, New Mexico
• 7th Fighter Squadron
• 8th Fighter Squadron

53d Wing, Eglin AFB, Florida
• 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron

57th Wing, Nellis AFB, Nevada
• 433rd Weapons Squadron

	The F-22A Raptor is the first air superiority fighter designed with advanced stealth characteristics with all offensive armament (AIM-9, AIM-120, JDAM) carried in three internal weapon bays. Something an interceptor like the Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was the first USAF aircraft to be introduced in operational service some fifty years ago. © Lockheed Martin

412th Test Wing, Edwards AFB, California
• 411th Flight Test Squadron

3d Wing, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
• 90th Fighter Squadron
• 525th Fighter Squadron

15th Wing, Hickam AFB, Hawaii
• 19th Fighter Squadron

Air National Guard
192d Fighter Wing, Langley AFB, Virginia
• 149th Fighter Squadron, Virginia Air National Guard

154th Wing, Hickam AFB, Hawaii
• 199th Fighter Squadron, Hawaii Air National Guard

Air Force Reserve Command
44th Fighter Group, Holloman AFB, New Mexico
• 301st Fighter Squadron

477th Fighter Group, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
• 302d Fighter Squadron

Source: Lockheed Martin

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