Air Combat Command officials are going to show of the service’s new F-22A Raptor, recently declared operational, in 2006 but only for what is called a “heritage flyby.” That means they’ll do a photo pass with vintage aircraft but no aerobatics. ACC is working on a demonstration program that would permit the Raptor to make its airshow aerobatic debut in 2007. When it starts the show circuit, expect the new fighter to do a max-performance takeoff even more dramatic than the F-15’s near straight-up opener, as well as extreme angle-of-attack flybys, slow and fast flight, and eye-watering, extremely tight turns.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.