Lockheed Martin F-22 and F-35

Fifth generation revolution in military aviation

BY A CORRESPONDENT
February 22, 2006

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With the F-22 Raptor reaching US Air Force Initial Operational Capability last December and the scheduled first flight of the F-35 later this year, the 5TH Generation of fighter aircraft is now a reality. Lockheed Martin which produces both aircraft, detailed some of the battle-changing advantages and unmatched capabilities the world's only 5TH Generation fighters now bring to the United States and its allies.

George Standridge, vice president and deputy for business development at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, presented an in-depth look at the state-of-the-art attributes uniquely integrated in the F-22 and F-35 5TH Generation fighters.

"These fighters bring an order of magnitude increase in capability, survivability and supportability over legacy fighters, at a significantly lower cost and will transform defense worldwide," said Standridge who briefed the press at the Asian Aerospace air show here today. Asian Aerospace is the region's foremost aerospace and defense technology exhibition.

"Lockheed Martin has launched the world into the fifth generation of military aviation," said Standridge. "We believe the F-22 and F-35 represent a major inflection point in military aviation and all aviation for that matter. The F-22 and F-35 are battle-changing systems. These two aircraft, the only 5TH Generation fighters being produced or developed today, are the only fighters that can survive and defeat threats of tomorrow."

Standridge said numerous analyses of tactical aircraft operations from a variety of government sources have all reached the same conclusions: 5th Generation fighters are significantly more effective than legacy fighters in all air dominance mission requirements and are the best value for the money.

Without getting into detailed, classified information, Standridge noted that the F-22 Raptor's unique combination of stealth, speed, precision, agility, situational awareness, air-to-ground and air-to-air combat capabilities make it unlike any other military aircraft in the world.

It is faster to the fight, two times more reliable, and three-plus times more effective than the F-15 it replaces. The Raptor also requires 1/3 less airlift to deploy.