In the US, created a new version of the fifth-generation fighter F-22 Raptor. It is reported by the information portal Defense One. The aircraft can be called a hybrid, as it will be combining the features of the F-35 and F-22. The source of the publication stated that the new development will help the American army to counter threats from China and Russia.
Recall, the F-22 Raptor is the world's first serial fighter, belonging to the fifth generation. He climbed into the sky in 1997, and in 2005 - began operating the aircraft. The serial production of the combat vehicle was completed in 2011, with a total of 195 F-22 Raptor manufactured. The F-35 Lightning II is a family of subtle multifunctional combat aircraft, also belonging to the fifth generation. Their operation began in 2012, at present small-scale production of these machines has been launched. Today, the F-35 are in service with a number of countries: the United States, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Australia. The F-22 Raptor fighter is not exported.
It is believed that the F-22 Raptor is superior to the F-35 in flight characteristics, but the latter has a more modern and advanced electronics.
Why did the Americans need a new hybrid?
According to the source, the company Lockheed Martin, which created both combat vehicles, recently introduced a new modification of the F-22 to the military. This fighter will be a kind of hybrid, which will combine the features of the F-35 and Raptor.
The modification will receive onboard electronics from the F-35, as well as some changes to the design, which will improve its stealth characteristics.
"The company Lockheed offers the US military and allies several options: the manufacturer is trying to understand how you can upgrade fighters to counter the threat from Russia and China in the next ten years," - said the source portal. Also, according to his information, the upgraded aircraft will be offered by the Japanese Air Force.
F-35 fighter can be called one of the most scandalous projects of the American military-industrial complex. Its development began in the mid-90s and has already cost the United States and its allies more than 55 billion dollars. In addition, this aircraft is pursued by constant technical problems. For example, at the end of last year, pilots began to receive massive complaints of feeling unwell during the flight. The reason for this was the flaws in the oxygen supplying system. Operation of the F-35 has been repeatedly suspended.
In the US, steps have been taken to improve the reliability of the fighter, but they have not been crowned with particular success. According to a report prepared by the Pentagon at the beginning of this year, the proportion of F-35s capable of flying into the air does not exceed 50% of their total number, and this figure does not increase with the increase in the number of aircraft. Significant problems have been identified with the software of the machine, with the work of the displays in the helmet and the cockpit, with the armament control complex. There were also found serious problems with the pilot ejection system.
In June of this year, 966 "obvious flaws" appeared in the draft of the F-35 fighter. And more than a hundred of them fell into the category of the first category, in other words, could lead to the most dire consequences. However, the military found a way out: the commission, which was involved in the evaluation of the project, reclassified a number of defects from critical to minor, although there was no particular reason for this. This blatant fact was reported by the non-governmental organization Project On Government Oversight (POGO), referring to military documents. Apparently, the Pentagon does not want to "spoil" the beginning of large-scale production, which is scheduled for 2019.
