00:04The F-22 Raptor, a fifth-generation fighter jet designed by Lockheed Martin, boasts an
00:11impressive array of weaponry, ensuring its dominance in the skies. As a stealth air
00:16superiority fighter, the F-22 is equipped with a combination of air-to-air and air-to-ground
00:22missiles, tailored for its role in securing control of the airspace and engaging ground
00:27targets when necessary. An ability to track and hit targets at different angles and longer ranges
00:33not only improves survivability but greatly helps attack maneuvering in combat. The F-22 is engineered
00:40to fly high and fast, cruising above the speed of sound in a lower power setting than other aircraft.
00:50Inside the Raptor's Armament
00:53The aircraft typically carries six radar-guided AIN-120 AMRAAM, advanced medium-range air-to-air
01:02missiles for beyond-visual range engagements, and two heat-seeking AIN-9 Sidewinder missiles
01:07per close combat scenarios. The AMRAAMs are renowned for their advanced active radar with an inertial
01:13reference unit and microcomputer system, which allows the missile to fly a course to a target
01:18area before its active radar turns on to intercept the target. M61, a 220 mm Vulcan cannon. The F-22
01:28Raptor
01:28is equipped with a single M61, a 220 mm Vulcan cannon. This is an internally mounted six-barrel rotary cannon
01:37capable of firing at a rate of approximately 6,000 rounds per minute. The M61-A2 is a lighter and
01:44more
01:44advanced version of the earlier M61 cannon. Optimized for the F-22 to maintain its stealth profile and reduce
01:52overall weight, the F-22 Raptor typically carries 480 rounds of 20 mm ammunition for the M61-A2 Vulcan cannon.
02:03The two new weapons, which have been under testing and development for several years now,
02:08are advanced variants of existing weapons. The A-9X air-to-air missile and the A-120D upgraded
02:16variants of each, now being built into existing F-22s, have already flown in combat exercises.
02:24Lockheed developers tell American Tactical Fighter that 14 F-22s have already been armed with the new
02:30weapons variants with more slated for next year. The new A-9X will shoot farther and reach a much
02:37larger targeting envelope for pilots. Working with a variety of helmets and display systems,
02:43Lockheed and Raytheon developers have added off-bore sight, targeting ability to the A-9X,
02:49enabling pilots to attack enemies from a wide range of new angles.
02:54Ground attack and versatility For ground attack missions,
02:59the F-22 can be outfitted with two 1,000-pound GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munitions and will use
03:06onboard avionics for navigation and weapons delivery support. The Joint Direct Attack Munitions is a
03:13guidance kit that converts unguided bombs into all-weather precision guided munitions. The F-22's
03:20internal bay can also be reconfigured to carry eight small diameter bombs, providing a versatile
03:25payload for different mission requirements. F-22 Raptor Lethal Armament
03:32F-22 lethality is also getting vastly improved through integration of new two-way Alink-16 data
03:39link connectivity between aircraft, something which will help expedite real-time airborne collaborative
03:44targeting. Up until recently, the F-22 has been able to receive, but not share, data through Link-16.
03:53Sharing F-22 digital information has been done through voice radio. Now the pilot is able to
03:59quarterback and connect more with other platforms, which helps add more of a multi-domain operations
04:05capability, Sanchez explained. The technical steps forward are also helping to network F-22s and F-35s
04:15together in war, something which further enables the Pentagon's plan to fly the two stealth aircraft
04:20together in a complementary way. The F-35 was specifically engineered to support the F-22 in combat.
04:27In fact, the F-35 and F-22 have already conducted operations together in the CENTCOM region.
04:37Better weapons will expand the envelope of what is possible as the threat evolves.
04:42I expect the F-22 tactics and operational employment tactics will evolve along with these new weapons.
04:54For the long term, given that the Air Force plans to fly the F-22 well into the 2060s,
05:00these weapons upgrades are engineered to build the technical foundation needed to help integrate a
05:05new generation of air-to-air missiles as they emerge in coming years.
05:47I'm thinking that if you want to use these new weapons these are better-to-air missiles.
05:54I think the G-10 system can carry out a more competitive time with bultures,
