Originally posted by MACROSVIII
The F-22's "Stealth" characteristics are unecessary and impaires the aircraft's performance. I say to hell with the stealth and the aircraft's
performance jumps. Being limited to either 4 AMRAAM"s or 4 AGM"s plus 2 AIM-9p's or X's doesn't make me feel too confident if i
were to fly into a high risk zone with SAMs and Fighters all over and expect to come out alive .
The F-22 carries in ventral bays, 6 (six) AMRAAM's (AIM 120's)which the USAF has announced will be the standard version missile on all of its
fighters. The AIM-120's will be propelled off of the missile rack inside of the missile bays by pnuematic and/or hydraulic ejectors.
On top of that, the F-22 will carry 1 AIM-9x IR's (Sidewinders) in side weapon bays located one on each side. It is most likely that the F-22 will
be capable of carrying 2 AIM-9x's per side. They will be extended on a trapeze mounted launcher before the launch. This was designed to enhance and
allow the AIM-9's IR seeker to effectively acquire the target or "sniff" it.
As per the pictures:
At 69.5 million a plane...still quite a buy and more so with the devolpment of the F-22x being also worked on.
regards
seekerof
[Edited on 21-7-2003 by Seekerof]
[Edited on 21-7-2003 by Seekerof]
[Edited on 21-7-2003 by Seekerof]