Aviation Specials — F-22 Raptor (2017)

‘The greatest capability the F-22 brings

is its integrated avionics, its fused avionics

that facilitate situational awareness

not just for the pilot in the airplane

but really for the entire package that is

going to execute the mission,’ comments

Harrigian. Its electronic warfare prowess

for strike packages is also likely to be

signi cant, including its impressive combat

identi cation techniques. ‘If you look at

the packages that have been put together,

there have been electronic warfare assets

as part of the packages. It kind of depends

on what targets they are going after and

where those targets are located,’ he said.

Syria’s air defences have remained

‘passive’, however, there have been well-

documented air-to-air ‘kills’ by USAF F-15Es

and by a US Navy F/A-18E. Thus far, the

Raptor has been limited to its secondary

ground attack roles and has not been able

to share in the aerial victories.

That  rst night is likely to have seen the

Raptors used for a number of reasons.

Firstly, they were an asset that was in

theatre and available. Secondly, if any

Syrian  ghters had got airborne, the

Raptors would have swiftly dealt them

a killer blow using their undoubted air

superiority prowess to take them out

with ease. Thirdly, the F-22’s impressive

stealth characteristics would have allowed

them to penetrate an area that may

This image: A

night shot of an

F-22 as it tanks

pre-strike on

September 23,

2014. USAF/TSgt
      Russ Scalf
      Below: An F-22
      pilot from the 1st
      FW goes through
      pre- ight checks
      at Al Dhafra.
      USAF/SSgt
      Antoinette Gibson

RAPTOR^87

82-93 Frontline C.indd 87 28/09/2017 15:02