Forum: General F-22A Raptor forum

Now I'm well aware it's classified but who here can speculate (reasonably)?

- I've seen comments of "supercruised in excess of Mach 1.7..." and,
- An alleged pilot stating that it can supercruise a Mach 2

Does anyone think the latter is reasonable/possible?

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mixelflick wrote:

Now I'm well aware it's classified but who here can speculate (reasonably)?

- I've seen comments of "supercruised in excess of Mach 1.7..." and,
- An alleged pilot stating that it can supercruise a Mach 2

Does anyone think the latter is reasonable/possible?

It's likely limited by the engine turbine inlet temp and that's a piece of info we are not going to know for 10-30 years. It has to be at least 1.5.

Wikipedia list it's supercruise at Mach 1.82 (and we all know everything on Wikipedia is completely accurate) but I can't imagine it being any faster than that really.

1.7 was demontrated. 1.5 seems to be the cruising Mach.

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123009594

I've see the 1.82 around, but I don't know where it came from.

I found the following numbers from a post by "Toan" at 'Keys', back in Aug. 2008
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showth ... amp;page=5

A) The maximal speed of F-22A in high altitude: 2.25 Mach at 45,000-fts.
B) The maximal speed of F-22A in low altitude: 1.40 Mach at sea level.
C) The maximal supercruising speed of F-22A: 1.82 Mach.
D) The minimal 360 degrees level-turning radius of F-22A in low altitude: 750-fts (228.6-m).
E) Mach 2.25 Mach figure is at 45,000-fts. Raptor can go above 65,000 ft correct

Sources for the information is spoken of and other data.

I suppose we won't know anytime soon. You're right though... M 1.5, M 1.72, M 1.8 or 2.0 - doesn't matter much when everything else is so much slower.

Interesting too that Putin didn't say the T-50 would be faster...

Speed is now limited by inlets and materials. It's just not worth it to go for more than Mach 2 unless that was supercruise. Also, speed and acceleration are used interchangeably a lot. Acceleration of the F-22 vs T-50 would be interesting. Look at the high wing sweep.

I'll take the acceleration over the max speed (within reason). Being able to get my energy/airspeed faster is better than a max speed - again within limits.

I think that the department of defense should wake up and build another 80 f-22 raptors the t-50
may be a rival we dont know that for sure but the russians development of fighter aircraft jump years ahead of it's self we can't shrug it off any longer we have to take the russians more serious than we used to

The Russians great airframe builders but it has yet to be seen whether what goes inside is great. Your right though about keeping a lead with Russia & China looking gain in the fighter market. The T-50 has an eye on the export market.

I'm interested in the claim that the F-15 and F-22 have similar top speeds even though the F-22 "can accelerate faster" (heard from pilots and various outlets). Unless the F-22 is a step backwards in aerodynamics, F=ma (with a bigger a) means more thrust and a higher top speed.

From all the paint-peeled F-22 noses and aerospace's continual struggle for robust turbines, I'd throw my hat in with the folks who say it's an airframe/material limitation.

squirl wrote:

I'm interested in the claim that the F-15 and F-22 have similar top speeds even though the F-22 "can accelerate faster" (heard from pilots and various outlets). Unless the F-22 is a step backwards in aerodynamics, F=ma (with a bigger a) means more thrust and a higher top speed.

From all the paint-peeled F-22 noses and aerospace's continual struggle for robust turbines, I'd throw my hat in with the folks who say it's an airframe/material limitation.

The limitation is the materials or the inlet design.

[quote="strykerxo"]The Russians great airframe builders quote]
I think you mean great airframe copiers Twisted Evil

[quote="vegasdave901"]

strykerxo wrote:

The Russians great airframe builders quote]
I think you mean great airframe copiers Twisted Evil

Maybe so, I will give them that, copy is the sincerist form of flattery.

the acceleration issue is a good one, like stealth with a proper amount of acceleration you are able to engage & disengage at will. One andecdotal story of the F-22 was that from a stop @ the end of the runway, accelerating and airborne to the other end of the runway almost exceeded mach, and the pilot had to pull it back.

My guess is M1.5~1.6 @ 80% mil thrust

Forum: General F-22A Raptor forum

F-22 - True Supercruise speed?