Museum adds the world's first stealthy air dominance fighter to collection
by Rob Bardua
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
4/30/2007 - DAYTON, Ohio -- The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force announced the addition of the world's first stealthy air dominance fighter to its collection today.
The F-22A Raptor combines stealth, maneuverability, and the ability to fly long distances at supersonic speeds into an aircraft capable of performing both air superiority and air-to-ground missions.
The museum's Raptor was one of nine built for engineering, manufacture and development testing in 1999. After completing its test program, the aircraft came to the museum and will go on display after restoration is finalized later this year.
According to museum director Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Charles D. Metcalf, the aircraft is a significant addition to the collection and will allow the museum to better tell today's Air Force story.
"The F-22A Raptor is the world's premier fighter and we're extremely proud to have one at the museum," said Gen. Metcalf. "This aircraft is not only a very important part of today's Air Force mission and current operations environment, but will also help to ensure that the U.S. continues to dominate the skies well into the future."
Responsible for managing the F-22 program, the 478th Aeronautical Systems Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base led the effort to prepare the aircraft for transfer to the museum.
"The F-22A Raptor is a technological marvel with its fifth generation fighter capabilities, and we are thrilled about the opportunity to add this state-of-the-art weapon system to the museum's collection," said Brig. Gen. C.D. Moore, 478th AESW commander. "A large number of people made this transfer possible, from depot personnel, technicians and airlift crews to security teams, contractors and museum restoration experts; just an impressive team effort!"
Since entering the Air Force's operational inventory in December 2005, the F-22A has been forging an impressive record in exercises and early deployments, proving its unmatched capabilities and exceeding even the lofty expectations surrounding the program.
Raptors participating in Exercise Northern Edge last June at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, achieved a staggering kill ratio of 144 to 0 flying against legacy fighters and recorded an impressive 97 percent mission capability rate.
Today, these aircraft are flying as part of an Air Expeditionary Force rotation operating out of Kadena Air Base, Japan.
Museum visitors can view the F-22A Raptor by registering for a "Behind the Scenes" tour of the Restoration Hangar. The tours take place each Friday at 12:15 p.m. For more information or to register for a tour call 937-255-3286, ext. 302.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force is located on Springfield Pike, six miles northeast of downtown Dayton. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). Admission and parking are free.
NOTE TO PUBLIC: For more information, contact the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at (937) 255-3286, ext. 302.
NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information, contact Rob Bardua at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Public Affairs Division at (937) 255-4704, ext. 330.
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