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Last Friday I got to take the windshield tour of Elmendorf - kudos to Staff Sergeant Erhard for the good work - and also got to get a close up of an F-22 from the 90th. A big thanks to "Gordo" - can't remember his last name - for endulging a dozen civies for 45 minutes, answering questions and showing us the plane. I was amazed that I could walk under the wing without ducking and I am a tad over 6'3".

Still can't take pictures of the backend of the plane, but that was cool as I was happy to just get close to it. One question I had was this: I noticed what looked liked some "glued on" strips on the radome. About three small ones and one larger one that went around the midsection of the radome. Can anyone tell me what they are for - in a generalized, non-classified answer?

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Those "glued on strips" dissipate static energy that is caused by the friction of the radome with the air. On the F-16 we call them zippers that we use to unzip to get to the radar to civies that ask the question about what they are.

Elite 1K Joined: Apr 26, 2004 Posts: 1192 Status: Offline

F-16's have the same thing but they look like a zipper.

Purple

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 20, 2005 Posts: 1033 Status: Offline

Occamsrasr wrote:

Still can't take pictures of the backend of the plane, but that was cool as I was happy to just get close to it.

Sure you can, they just didn't want you to. There are plenty of pics out there of the @ss end. The only aircraft we specifically kept people away from the rear end is the B-2.

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 22, 2005 Posts: 1004 Status: Offline

checksixx wrote:

Occamsrasr wrote:

Still can't take pictures of the backend of the plane, but that was cool as I was happy to just get close to it.

Sure you can, they just didn't want you to. There are plenty of pics out there of the @ss end.

Yeah but most of those have the FOD plugs in. Not to many out there that show the radar blockers. They're not classified but they don't exactly advertise them either. And the time I saw an F-22 on display at Hill AFB they weren't letting anybody see it from the rear either.

I had just bought a brand new Nikon and would have loved to shoot the back of the plane but figured it would have looked a little conspicuous and since I did not want to visit the Elmendorf detention center I refrained from doing so. Plus, it seemed the least that I could do was honor Gordo's request.

There was nothing special about the back end, the nozzles were pointed up on the top and the bottom ones were hanging down. The burner cans were open and other than noticing what looked like "spray rings" that looked thicker I could not see what the big deal was, but then I would not have known what to look for anyway.

If the weather permits this coming weekend maybe I can get some shots from the Open House and the F-22 demo.

sferrin wrote:

checksixx wrote:

Occamsrasr wrote:

Still can't take pictures of the backend of the plane, but that was cool as I was happy to just get close to it.

Sure you can, they just didn't want you to. There are plenty of pics out there of the @ss end.

Yeah but most of those have the FOD plugs in. Not to many out there that show the radar blockers. They're not classified but they don't exactly advertise them either. And the time I saw an F-22 on display at Hill AFB they weren't letting anybody see it from the rear either.

I remember seeing a discussion here a while ago that pitted you against I think checksixx on the issue of "radar blockers". I don't think it was ever settled. Do such "radar blockers" actually exist (and do you have conclusive proof) or is that what you think they are, based on what is perhaps uninformed and largely speculative observation? I'm asking genuinely wanting to know where you're coming from. I am entirely agnostic on the matter.

Way off topic, but seeing the word "agnostic" reminded me of my favorite joke...

What does the insomniac agnostic dyslectic guy do at night?

He lays awake wondering if there is a dog....

Best Regards,

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 22, 2005 Posts: 1004 Status: Offline

Obamanite wrote:

sferrin wrote:

checksixx wrote:

Occamsrasr wrote:

Still can't take pictures of the backend of the plane, but that was cool as I was happy to just get close to it.

Sure you can, they just didn't want you to. There are plenty of pics out there of the @ss end.

Yeah but most of those have the FOD plugs in. Not to many out there that show the radar blockers. They're not classified but they don't exactly advertise them either. And the time I saw an F-22 on display at Hill AFB they weren't letting anybody see it from the rear either.

I remember seeing a discussion here a while ago that pitted you against I think checksixx on the issue of "radar blockers". I don't think it was ever settled. Do such "radar blockers" actually exist (and do you have conclusive proof) or is that what you think they are, based on what is perhaps uninformed and largely speculative observation? I'm asking genuinely wanting to know where you're coming from. I am entirely agnostic on the matter.

Yes they are real. There was an article about them in AvWeek. and if you go to page. . .127 in Jay Miller's book on the F-22 you can see them plain as day. They look similar to the radar blockers in the Super Hornet's intake. You hear about the F-22 having all-aspect stealth while the F-35 has a 4-5 degree "cone of vulnerability" to the rear? It's because they left it off the F-35 to save $$$.

"Lockheed has been working diligently with Pratt & Whitney to reduce the infrared, acoustic, and radar signatures of the JSF engine. In addition, knowledge acquired in the F-22 program undoubtedly will be integrated into the JSF. Specifically, experts speculate that the F-22 engine exhaust radar blocker will be applied to the JSF as well. Engineers have toiled to develop a device to block the radar return of the exhaust cavity and simultaneously survive the extreme temperatures (Fulghum “Stealth is Still…” 46 original AvWeek article). Researchers from Lockheed claim to have developed a method of blocking the radar return of the F-22’s nozzles without compromising the fighter’s IR signature—a technique almost certainly to be borrowed for the JSF program (Fulghum “Stealth Engine Advances…” 90)."

Here is a picture of the blocker in the Super Hornet and the one Boeing had planned for it's JSF entry. Many people look at them an immediately think they're a stage of the engine but they're not. (you can see the engine is actually pulled on one of the Super Hornet pics). If you like I can email you a scan of the image in the book but I'm not going to post here because of copywrite issues.

Here is the back. This one was from Tyndall, if I remember correctly. I took the pictures at an airshow a couple years ago.

Newbie Joined: Jul 06, 2008 Posts: 16 Status: Offline

I live in Anchorage, and was at the "Arctic Thunder" airshow on Elmendorf 06-26-08.. WOW!!!

I've posted a gallery of photos and video from the airshow, almost entirely devoted to the F-22, at http://gallery.mac.com/mikejames#100106 (free - Enjoy!)

Newbie Joined: Jul 18, 2008 Posts: 7 Status: Offline

Maybe this will help you out

Posted for public eyes on "thehowlandcompany" web site

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Windshield tour of Elmendorf