- F-22A Raptor
- Text: "National Museum of the U.S. Air Force" on the front left chest and the back
- Indigo
- 100% Preshrunk Cotton
The Lockheed-Martin F-22A "Raptor" is the world's first stealthy air dominance fighter. Its radar, weapons control, and electronic warfare systems works together as one integrated unit. The Raptor combines stealth, maneuverability, and the ability to fly long distances at supersonic speeds in performance of air superiority and air-to-ground missions.
In April of 1991, the Lockheed-Martin F-22 won the design competition of a new Air Force air superiority fighter. The Raptor successfully competed its initial operational and test evaluation in 2004 and the program received approval for production. In December of 2005 operational aircraft were designated F-22A.
On May 12, 2005, the Raptor program achieved a historic milestone with delivery of the first combat-capable aircraft to the 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. In January of 2006, the 27th Fighter Squadron flew the first operational mission in support of Operation Noble Eagle (the name given to defense of the US borders).
The aircraft on display was one of nine built for engineering, manufacture, and development testing. After completing this test program, it cam the National Museum of the United States in January 2007. It is painted to represent an F-22A flown by the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.