Two U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor stealth jet fighters fly near Andersen Air Force Base in this handout photo dated August 4, 2010. (REUTERS/U.S. Air Force/Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald/Handout)
FOX News/Warrior Maven: Pentagon gives F-22s 'first strike' capability worldwide with Rapid Raptor program
The Air Force is strengthening its “Rapid Raptor” program designed to fast-track four F-22s to war - anywhere in the world - within 24 hours, on a moments notice, should there be an immediate need for attacks in today’s pressured, fast-moving global threat environment.
The program, in existence for several years, prepares four F-22s with the requisite crew members, C-17 support, fuel, maintenance and weapons necessary to execute a fast-attack “first-strike” ability in remote or austere parts of the world, Air Force officials say.
Readiness for the F-22, senior Air Force officials explain, hinges upon a new software delivery strategy which sees incremental improvements less as “products” for pre-planned, spread apart adjustments -- but rather a steady continuous “pipeline” of upgrades.
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WNU Editor: Four F-22s may not seem to be a lot of planes. But each of them do carry a heavy payload of weapons, and they have the capability to open an "air corridor" in enemy territory for other planes to go through. In many ways this is a plane not to be used for purposes of defense, but to be used as a "first strike" aircraft.
1 comment:
F22 is a maintenance-intensive "hangar queen". Basing any rapid-reaction plan on it's availability is likely ill-advised. What a waste of US defense dollars.
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