This F-22 of
the 27th FS
shows signs of
maintenance
work in progress
on the low
observable
coating.and bomber aircraft against a near-peer
adversary to develop contracts with
each of the Blue assets and gain a better
understanding of how each individual
MDS [Mission Design Series] employs to
better ourselves as a team. This training
experience today will enable us to win
when it matters most.’
As well as local exercises like ‘Razor
Talon’, which is conducted from home
stations on the east coast, Raptors
have been regular players in larger
exercises such as ‘Red Flag’. As well as for
their own experience, ‘Red Flag’ is also
used to promote understanding and
interoperability within the other fourth-
generation participants. ‘Because there’s
so few Raptor squadrons we get tasked
over and over again’, says Lt Col ‘Lobo’. ‘We
have to balance this against our readiness
concerns.’
The Raptor’s current inability to share
data outside of its own ight causes a
few headaches. ‘When we integrate itbecomes problematic. The most stressing
case for us is to kill while orchestrating
and controlling another 30 ghters’, says
Col Fesler. ‘I’m on the radios saying ‘stay
away from him, go there, here are your
friendlies’; generally communicating what
we are seeing to the fourth-gen guys.
I would rather somebody else shoot at
what I nd, and I’ll clean up what’s left.’
It works both ways. The Raptor
community is also desperate to tap into
o -board sensors for data and cues; ‘the
sensors don’t need to be on my airplane’,
quips one pilot.NEW ENEMY, NEW ROLES
Despite the emphasis on air-to-air, recent
upgrades have clearly been designed to
enhance the attack capabilities of the
F-22. While the F/A-22 designation was
short-lived, Lt Col ‘Lobo’ acknowledges:
‘our role has shifted slightly.’
‘The F-22 was designed for air-to-air,
then we added limited air-to-ground’,‘THE F 35 WILL
HAVE GREAT
SENSORS AND
EXECUTE SOME AIR
TO AIR MISSIONS,
BUT IT IS
OPTIMISED FOR THE
AIR TO GROUND
ROLE; IT JUST
DOESN’T HAVE
THE SPEED AND
MANOEUVRABILITY
THE
ATHLETICISM
THAT MAKES
THE RAPTOR SO
SPECIAL’
LT COL ‘LOBO’
(^62) RAPTOR
50-63 1st FW C.indd 62 28/09/2017 14:51