F-22 Raptor chief test pilot Paul Metz stated that the Raptor has a top speed greater than 1,600 mph (Mach 2.42)m if not faster and its climb rate is faster than the F-15 Eagle due to advances in engine technology. Its thrust-vectoring nozzles enhance its maneuverability to a spectacular level and the aircraft can supercruise at speeds of over Mach 1.5. When added to its stealth, the F-22 possesses an exceptional dominance as a fighter aircraft. For its secondary ground-attack capability, the Raptor had been known as the F/A-22 until 2005, when its designation as F-22 was settled.Ī valuable asset to the F-22's combat efficiency is its advanced AESA ( Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar. The Raptor's primary role is Air Superiority, meaning its main goal in combat is to effectively take down all enemy aircraft in a defined airspace and establish dominance. This version eventually entered service in December 2005. The Main production version of the F-22 Raptor made its first flight on September 7, 1997. After a hard-fought fly off, the F-22 was declared the winner on August 1991.

The F-22 was first flown as the YF-22 Lightining II in Septemas part of the ATF program along with the YF-23 Black Widow II.

How fast does the f 22 raptor go