The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation, single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather stealth tactical fighter aircraft developed for the United States Air Force (USAF). It was designed primarily as an air superiority fighter but has additional capabilities such as ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence roles.
The F-22 Raptor is manufactured by Lockheed Martin, and its first flight occurred in 1997. It entered service with the USAF in 2005, and currently, over 180 Raptors have been built. The aircraft is renowned for its advanced avionics, stealth technology, and supercruise ability, which enables it to fly at supersonic speeds without the use of afterburners.
The F-22 Raptor has a distinctive angular shape with smooth surfaces and sharp edges designed to minimize its radar signature. The aircraft is also equipped with advanced electronic warfare and avionics systems, making it a highly capable and sophisticated fighter jet.
The F-22 Raptor has been used in combat operations in Iraq and Syria, where it has demonstrated its superior capabilities in air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. The aircraft is considered one of the most advanced and capable fighters in the world, and its unique capabilities are critical to maintaining air superiority in contested environments.
Maciej "Szamal" Szamałek is an aviation photographer from Poland who specializes in air-to-air photography. For him, photography is a form of play, to express his aviation passion. It helps him to capture fleeting moments and allows him to preserve emotions, sorrows, joys, and memories. It's a constant pursuit to be in the right place at the right time.