2008 Woodie Awards
F-22A pilot Jim Brown discusses jet with students
Andrew Polgreen
Issue date: 4/21/06 Section: News
The F-22 Raptor is the most expensive, most intelligent, and stealthiest fighter the United States Air Force has ever put into service. They can cover three times the airspace of the F-15 and can drop GPS guided bombs. These airplanes are being run through test flights at bases across the country. Jim Brown, an F-22A test pilot, visited Embry-Riddle's AFROTC Detachment 028 on April 5 to discuss his experiences with the aircraft as well as the programs progress and future goals.
Brown opened his speech by asking, "Who's a fighter pilot wanna be?" The group of cadets that nearly filled the DLC auditorium laughed aloud and many raised their hands. After acknowledging the large amount off people who had raised their hands he continued on to his first major topic about the need for the Raptor.
Development for the F-22 began in 1981 as a response to increases in Soviet air power, as well as a replacement to the F-15. Originally, the projected budget was $99.1 billion for 648 aircraft. This made the Raptor the most expensive weapon system ever. Since then, it has encountered many roadblocks on the way to its first flight. But it is finally in the flight-testing phase.
Brown went on to describe the capabilities and the construction of the aircraft. 60 to 70 percent of stealth comes from the shape of an airplane. The F-22 is built with parallel lines on all the leading surfaces. This along with several other construction techniques makes it very difficult to find on a radar screen. An F-22's skin is made of a composite structure that is baked at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, the airplane is limited to a temperature of 242 degrees on any of its outer surfaces. This is the primary factor, which limits the aircraft's speed.
Brown also described the method the F-22 uses to reach its targets undetected. In Supercruise, a Raptor climbs to 60,000 feet at Mach 1.8. At this point, the pilot throttles back to idle and coasts to the target at Mach 1.5. While coasting, the aircraft is cooling down, making its infrared signature difficult to find. At this speed, the F-22 could go from Prescott to Phoenix in three minutes and 45 seconds.
The Raptor's computer system is the most advanced fighter technology system in the world. The computer's liquid cooled processors can perform ten billion operations per second. It features an all glass cockpit, which means that all the instruments are actually digital displays. Raptors use a radio linkup to talk to each other. This means any pilot can read all the information about his wingman's aircraft. Describing a hypothetical scenario, Brown said, "Dude, might want to arm your weapons!"
Brown ended his presentation by calling the F-22 Raptor a quantum leap in aerospace technology. "It has taken air combat to a new level," he said. He took time to answer several questions from the cadets.
Jim Brown began his career flying an F-4 for the US Air Force. He has over 7,300 flight hours and just recently flew his 121st aircraft. After retiring from the Air Force he went to work for United, but ultimately ended up with Lockheed flying stealth aircraft.
Brown opened his speech by asking, "Who's a fighter pilot wanna be?" The group of cadets that nearly filled the DLC auditorium laughed aloud and many raised their hands. After acknowledging the large amount off people who had raised their hands he continued on to his first major topic about the need for the Raptor.
Development for the F-22 began in 1981 as a response to increases in Soviet air power, as well as a replacement to the F-15. Originally, the projected budget was $99.1 billion for 648 aircraft. This made the Raptor the most expensive weapon system ever. Since then, it has encountered many roadblocks on the way to its first flight. But it is finally in the flight-testing phase.
Brown went on to describe the capabilities and the construction of the aircraft. 60 to 70 percent of stealth comes from the shape of an airplane. The F-22 is built with parallel lines on all the leading surfaces. This along with several other construction techniques makes it very difficult to find on a radar screen. An F-22's skin is made of a composite structure that is baked at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, the airplane is limited to a temperature of 242 degrees on any of its outer surfaces. This is the primary factor, which limits the aircraft's speed.
Brown also described the method the F-22 uses to reach its targets undetected. In Supercruise, a Raptor climbs to 60,000 feet at Mach 1.8. At this point, the pilot throttles back to idle and coasts to the target at Mach 1.5. While coasting, the aircraft is cooling down, making its infrared signature difficult to find. At this speed, the F-22 could go from Prescott to Phoenix in three minutes and 45 seconds.
The Raptor's computer system is the most advanced fighter technology system in the world. The computer's liquid cooled processors can perform ten billion operations per second. It features an all glass cockpit, which means that all the instruments are actually digital displays. Raptors use a radio linkup to talk to each other. This means any pilot can read all the information about his wingman's aircraft. Describing a hypothetical scenario, Brown said, "Dude, might want to arm your weapons!"
Brown ended his presentation by calling the F-22 Raptor a quantum leap in aerospace technology. "It has taken air combat to a new level," he said. He took time to answer several questions from the cadets.
Jim Brown began his career flying an F-4 for the US Air Force. He has over 7,300 flight hours and just recently flew his 121st aircraft. After retiring from the Air Force he went to work for United, but ultimately ended up with Lockheed flying stealth aircraft.
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