Lockheed begins test flights of final Raptor ?
Flight International article talks about 4195's inagural flight and there's an interesting quote from LM's lead test pilot:
Quote:
Babione says that company pilots usually fly two sorties to verify that the aircraft is functioning correctly. Super-cruise testing is usually conducted over Tennessee and Alabama, he says. The aircraft is capable of cruising at around Mach 1.8 without afterburners and has a top speed of around Mach 2.2.
Basically confirms the top end supercruise speed and also indicates the jet's max speed which I believe is the first time it's been published.
Aritcle is here. |