F-22 Raptor Clears FOT&E: Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center officials say the F-22A Raptor is now “mission capable” for the air-to-ground role; they have completed follow-on operational test and evaluation for the new fighter. This was not a pro forma announcement, even though Air Combat Command declared initial operational capability for the Raptor late last year. In fact, Maj. Gen. Robin Scott, AFOTEC commander, says that ACC was able to declare IOC based on data arising from FOT&E. According to Col. Matthew Black, head of the AFOTEC detachment at Nellis AFB, Nev., that shepherded the evaluation, AFOTEC and ACC conducted the “most complex operational test ever on a tactical aircraft.”
RTX’s Raytheon is offering the Air Force and potential future users of Boeing's F-15EX an enhanced APG-82 radar that promises greater effective range without requiring more power, enabling it to better detect low-observable targets.
