The F-22A Raptor (also designated F-22 or F/A-22A in older titles) is a fifth-generation air superiority fighter. The F-22A is notable for its high speed and stealth technology.
As an advanced and well-known aircraft, the F-22A has been the aircraft of choice for many Ace Combat protagonists, featured on many game covers, and involved in numerous conflicts throughout the series.
History
Strangereal
In the Strangereal universe, the F-22A saw much earlier development than in our real world, having entered service by the mid- to late-20th century. It was slowly adopted as a valuable aircraft for high-ranking pilots, seeing combat as early as the Belkan War in 1995[1] and the Usean coup d'état in 1998.[2]
By the start of the 21st century, the F-22A was produced in larger quantities around the world for many air forces. The ISAF Air Force provided an F-22A for the famed ace, Mobius 1, towards the end of the Continental War. The ISAF later procured three more F-22As for use in the Mobius Squadron during Operation Judgement Day.[3] The Federal Erusea Air Force also made use of the F-22A, albeit in fairly limited numbers. One notable Erusean F-22A pilot was an ace by the callsign of Abell, who was encountered over Ice Creek by Mobius 1 during Operation Aurora. [4]
The Osean Air Defense Force had numerous units of the aircraft which were deployed in force near the end of the Circum-Pacific War, including some used by warmongers during the Battle of Sudentor.[5]
During the Emmeria-Estovakia War, the Estovakian Air Force made use of the F-22A. An Estovakian F-22A ace, Lucijan "Pegas" Markovic, was renowned for his actions at the start of the Estovakian Civil War, which outshined both the Strigon and Vampire Teams.[6] However, despite his skill, he was shot down during the Invasion of Gracemeria by Talisman.[7] In the latter stages of the war, Estovakia deployed large numbers of F-22As and Su-47 Berkuts during the battle of the Moloch Desert,[8] the defense of Gracemeria,[9] the cruise missile attack on Gracemeria,[10] and the defense of the Chandelier.[11]
During the Lighthouse War of 2019, both the Osean Air Defense Force and the Erusean Air Force operated the Raptor as an advanced fighter. The Raptor was more commonly seen in action in the later stages of the war; many of the fighters on both sides in Operation Daredevil were Raptors.[12] Notable pilots include Erusean ace Cyril Noiret, callsign "Tempest", who defended the International Space Elevator from a coalition of Osean and Erusean forces, and Trigger, who used the F-22A when he shot down both ADF-11F Ravens.[13]
In 2020, the F-22A was utilized by the Aurelian Air Force during the Aurelian War.[14] Both Falco Squadron[15] and Aurelian ace Gryphus 1 made use of the F-22A during the final engagements of the war[16][17] after previously using the XFA-24A Apalis.[18]
By the 2030s, the F-22A's appeal was slowly declining; ECM technology was rapidly advancing and anti-stealth radar networks were being developed at a similar pace, countering the F-22A's main advantages of radar-guided missiles and stealth. Its airframe, however, remains iconic partly due to its high speed and excellent maneuverability, leading General Resource Limited to manufacture the Connection for Flight Interface-equipped F-22C Raptor II.[19]
Real world
The F-22A was developed by the United States in the 1980s to replace the F-15C Eagle in response to the Soviet Union's developments in aviation. The aircraft was conceived from the YF-22 Lightning II, the winner in the Advanced Tactical Fighter competition set out by the US government, over the YF-23 Black Widow II, which would not see further development. The F-22A was unveiled in April 19, 1997, and entered service with the United States Air Force in 2005.[20]
Joint Assault
During the attacks by the Golden Axe Plan, Antares Squadron acquired at least one F-22A for use by its members.[21] It is unknown if Antares One himself used an F-22A.[22]
Assault Horizon
By early 2015, the United States was testing a new artificial intelligence known as Righteous to replace F-22A pilots. Colonel William Bishop was involved in testing the AI.[23] Later that year, during the New Russian Federation uprising, Colonel Bishop and other USAF pilots in Task Force 108 would pilot their F-22s during the liberation of Moscow[24] as well as countering Andrei Markov's attack on the eastern U.S.[25]
Infinity
F-22As saw limited use during Operation Eternal Liberation on both sides of the conflict; Reaper of Bone Arrow Squadron was eventually provided a personal F-22A,[26] and the USEA Federation's Shadow Squadron utilizes multiple F-22A airframes.[27]
Game Analysis
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
- "A stealth aircraft developed as part of the Advanced Tactical Fighter program. Its high-power engines and thrust vectoring nozzles give it great speed and maneuverability. This, combined with its stealth capabilities, gives it a reputation as a fearsome fighter capable of dominating the enemy without being spotted. Its weapons are stored internally, so as not to interfere with its stealth; however, they can be carried externally to give it increased firepower. As it is restricted from being exported outside of the country where it was developed, it is difficult to know the full extent of its capabilities. Its nickname is "Raptor.""
- ― Data Viewer
How to Unlock
- Main Game: The F-22A is available on the Aircraft Tree and it costs 920,000 MRP. It requires purchasing either the F-15E Strike Eagle or the F-35C Lightning II.
- VR Mode: Complete ten VR missions.
Statistics
Weapons
- GUN x2400 (∞ on Easy/Normal)
- MSL x136
- QAAM x18
- XSDB x48 (110,000 MRP) (VR: Complete 1 mission with the F-22A)
- 8AAM x80 (110,000 MRP) (VR: Complete 2 missions with the F-22A)
- FLR x3
Part Slots
- BODY: 30
- ARMS: 30
- MISC: 30
Named Pilots
Skins
- Osea:Grey air superiority camouflage based on that used by the United States Air Force
- Erusea: Tri-tone blue and grey camouflage used by Lucijan "Pegas" Markovic's F-22A in Ace Combat 6. (Unlock: Earn the "Silver Wings" medal: Earn an S Rank on all missions on Hard difficulty.)
- Special: Two-tone JMSDF style blue camouflage. (Unlock: Shoot down TEMPEST)
- Mage: Osea skin with Mage Squadron markings.
- Spare: Osea skin with Spare Squadron markings.
- Strider: Osea skin with Strider Squadron markings.
- Mobius: Mobius Squadron scheme (DLC: Purchase via the ADF-11F Raven Set)
- Phoenix: Phoenix livery from Air Combat
- Gryphus: Gryphus 1 livery
- Razgriz: Razgriz Squadron livery (acquire the "Cutting-edge Aircraft Series Set" DLC)
- General Resource: F-22C Raptor II livery
- Dision: Abyssal Dision's F-22C livery
Gallery
An F-22A flying by an Su-30SM
An F-22A flying by an Su-30SM
VR Gallery
Ace Combat Infinity
- "This ultimate stealth fighter is the pride of the U.S. Armed Forces. Aside from flight performance, it has top class acceleration performance and a two-dimensional thrust deflect nozzle which also gives it outstanding maneuverability. Its preemptive strike power, called "first look, first shoot, first kill", is fitting for an aircraft with the name "Raptor", the master of the skies."
- ― Hangar
| Lv.
|
Cst
|
Price
|
GUN
|
MSL
|
QAAM
|
4AAM
|
HPAA
|
SP
|
MO
|
ST
|
AA
|
AG
|
DF
|
| 1 |
750 |
673,920 |
343 |
120 |
10 |
– |
– |
B |
C+ |
D |
B+ |
D |
E+
|
| 2 |
795 |
63,180 |
377 |
122 |
14 |
– |
– |
B+ |
B |
D+ |
B+ |
D |
D
|
| 3 |
840 |
105,300 |
411 |
124 |
16 |
– |
– |
B+ |
B |
D+ |
A |
D |
D
|
| 4 |
885 |
136,890 |
445 |
126 |
18 |
34 |
– |
A |
B+ |
C |
A+ |
D+ |
D+
|
| 5 |
930 |
179,010 |
480 |
128 |
20 |
38 |
– |
A+ |
A |
C |
A+ |
D+ |
C
|
| 6 |
975 |
547,560[a] |
514 |
130 |
22 |
42 |
– |
A+ |
A+ |
C |
A+ |
D+ |
C+
|
| 7 |
1020 |
400,140 |
548 |
132 |
24 |
46 |
28 |
S |
S |
C+ |
S |
D+ |
B
|
| 8 |
1065 |
568,620 |
583 |
134 |
26 |
50 |
30 |
S |
S |
C+ |
S |
D+ |
A
|
| 9 |
1110 |
800,280 |
617 |
136 |
27 |
52 |
31 |
S+ |
S+ |
C+ |
S+ |
C |
A+
|
| 10 |
1155 |
1,137,240 |
652 |
138 |
28 |
54 |
32 |
S+ |
S+ |
B |
S+ |
C |
S
|
| 11 |
1202 |
2,274,480 |
686 |
142 |
29 |
56 |
33 |
S+ |
S+ |
B |
S+ |
C |
S+
|
| 12 |
1249 |
2,063,880 |
720 |
146 |
30 |
58 |
34 |
S+ |
S+ |
B |
S+ |
C |
S+
|
| 13 |
1296 |
3,032,640 |
755 |
150 |
31 |
60 |
35 |
S+ |
S+ |
B+ |
S+ |
C |
S+
|
| 14 |
1343 |
4,254,120 |
789 |
154 |
32 |
62 |
36 |
S+ |
S+ |
B+ |
S+ |
C |
S+
|
| 15 |
1390 |
5,180,760 |
824 |
158 |
34 |
66 |
38 |
S++ |
S+ |
A |
S+ |
C |
S+
|
| 16 |
1456 |
7,539,480 |
856 |
160 |
35 |
68 |
39 |
S++ |
S++ |
A |
S+ |
C+ |
S++
|
| 17 |
1515 |
8,634,600 |
888 |
162 |
36 |
70 |
40 |
S++ |
S++ |
A |
S+ |
C+ |
S++
|
| 18 |
1574 |
9,708,660 |
920 |
164 |
37 |
72 |
41 |
S++ |
S++ |
A+ |
S++ |
C+ |
S++
|
| 19 |
1633 |
12,404,340 |
952 |
166 |
38 |
74 |
42 |
S++ |
S++ |
A+ |
S++ |
B |
S++
|
| 20 |
1692 |
15,626,520 |
984 |
168 |
40 |
78 |
44 |
S++ |
S++ |
S |
S++ |
B |
S+++
|
- Part Slots
- At Lv.1, this aircraft carried 25 BODY, 25 ARMS, and 25 MISC part slots. See Tuning § Slot Expansion for further information.
- Nicknames
- Upgrading this aircraft to these levels unlocked the respective nicknames for use at any time.
- Lv.3: Airway Ruler
- Lv.10: Golden Canopy
- Lv.15: Apex Predator
- Lv.20: Raptor's Claws
Named Pilots
Skin Galleries
Description
- Standard gray body
Gallery
Description
- Gray and green camouflage
Availability
Gallery
Description
- Blue, light blue, and gray camouflage
Availability
Gallery
Description
- Two-tone blue camouflage
Availability
Gallery
Description
- White, red, and purple livery from Air Combat
Availability
Gallery
Description
- Black, blue, and purple variation of "AC" Skin #01
Availability
Gallery
Description
- Zone of Endless red
Availability
Gallery
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy
- "A fighter with both stealth capabilities and thrust vectoring nozzles for superior maneuverability."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete mission 21: Kingpin. Costs 172,000 credits.
Statistics
Weapons
Colors
- C01: Grey body
- C02: Digital gray camo
- C03: Air superiority gray
- C04: Digital blue camo
- C05: Silver with teal edges, potentially based on Hatsune Miku. Customizable
- C06: Digital green camo. Customizable
Named Pilots
Gallery
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon
- "This ultimate stealth fighter is the pride of the U.S. Armed Forces. Aside from flight performance, it has top class acceleration performance and a two-dimensional thrust deflect nozzle which also gives it outstanding maneuverability. Its preemptive strike power, called "first look, first shoot, first kill," is fitting for an aircraft with the name "Raptor," the master of the skies."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete campaign mission 11: Launch.
Statistics
- Speed: Superior
- Mobility: Superior
- Stability: Superior
- Fire Power: Superior
- Defense: Superior
Weapons
Colors
Gallery
An F-22A preparing for take-off
An F-22 about to take off
Ace Combat: Joint Assault
The aircraft is referred to in this game as F-22 Raptor.
- "A fighter with both stealth capabilities and thrust vectoring nozzles for superior maneuverability."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete mission 20: Ghost Hunt. Costs $332,000.
Statistics
- Speed: Above Average
- Air-to-Air: Superior
- Air-to-Ground: Above Average
- Mobility: Maximum
- Stability: Maximum
- Defense: Medium
Weapons
Colors
- C01: Air superiority gray.
- C02: YF-22 livery.
- C03: Gray and brown desert camouflage.
- C04: Mobius 1 livery.
- C05: Matte gray.
- C06: Light blue desert camouflage. Estovakia SP camouflage from Ace Combat 6.
Named Pilots
Gallery
Color 4 with the
ISAF emblem in the hangar
Ace Combat Xi: Skies of Incursion
Gallery
Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation
- "The F-22A is a composite of the latest technologies, including the ability to cruise at supersonic speeds. This ultra-powerful 5th generation fighter is aptly titled "Air Dominance Fighter". Commanding powerful thrust and stealth technologies, the F-22A represents the leading edge of aircraft technology. As well as being dispenser munitions capable, high-performance missiles allow it to attack from beyond the range of enemy aircraft. Geared perfectly for aerial combat missions, the F-22A is a powerful preemptive fighter."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete campaign mission 13: The Liberation of Gracemeria.
Statistics
Weapons
Colors
Named Pilots
- Lucijan Markovic (Callsign: PEGAS)
Gallery
Another view of Lucijan flying by the bridge
Lucijan Markovic above the clouds
Skin 3 - Estovakia SP (Pegas)
Skin 4 - Gryphus Emblem <Pack 06>
Skin 5 - Mobius <Pack 03>
Skin 6 - Razgriz <Pack 08>
Skin 7 - Indigo Wing <Pack 06>
Skin 8 - The Idolmaster Haruka <Pack 06>
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception
The aircraft is referred to in this game as F-22 Raptor.
- "A fighter with both stealth capabilities and thrust vectoring nozzles for superior maneuverability."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete mission 11B: In Pursuit II. Costs 51,100 credits.
Statistics
Weapons
Colors
Named Pilots
- GALLERY
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
The aircraft is referred to in this game as F/A-22A Raptor.
- "A fighter with stealth capabilities and thrust vectoring nozzles for superior maneuverability. Designed to relieve much of the pilot's burden, the "Raptor" represents a new standard of air superiority."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete the campaign once with any Ace Style. Costs 181,000 in a New Game Plus.
Statistics
- Speed: 83
- Mobility: 88
- Stability: 82
- Defense: 66
- Air-to-Air: 96
- Air-to-Ground: 59
Weapons
Colors
- Standard: Air superiority gray.
- Mercenary: Black body.
- Soldier: Mobius One livery.
- Knight: Desert camouflage.
- Special: Gray body with white frontal area. Modeled after the original YF-22.
Named Pilots
Gallery
Soldier color (Mobius Squadron)
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War
The aircraft is referred to in this game as F/A-22A Raptor.
- "With a combination of stealth capabilities and superior maneuverability of its thrust vectoring nozzles, the "Raptor" lives up to its name as the ultimate air superiority fighter."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete campaign mission 17: Journey Home or complete Arcade Mode once in any route. Costs 24,000 per aircraft.
Statistics
- Speed: High
- Mobility: High
- Stability: High
- Defense: Medium
- Air-to-Air: High
- Air-to-Ground: Medium
Weapons
Colors
- OS: Air superiority gray.
- RZ: Black camouflage
- SP: Mobius One livery. Unlocked with aircraft if Arcade Mode is completed once.
Named Pilots
Gallery
Razgriz color in the hangar
Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies
- "An exceptional fighter with superior maneuverability, payload, Stealth, supersonic cruise, and thrust vectoring."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete mission 16: Whiskey Corridor. Costs 643,000 credits.
Statistics
- Speed: High
- Air-to-Air: High
- Air-to-Ground: High
- Mobility: High
- Stability: High
- Defense: High
Weapons
Colors
- Standard: Air superiority camouflage.
- Erusea: Dark gray body.
- Special: Black body. Priced at 836,000 credits.
Named Pilots
Gallery
Erusean color scheme hangar
Ace Abell color scheme hangar
Trivia
- The F-22A is the most recurring aircraft on Ace Combat game covers, featured as the canon aircraft of Phoenix, Mobius 1, Gryphus One, Antares One, Colonel William Bishop and Trigger.
- In Air Combat and Ace Combat 2, the aircraft designated F-22 actually uses the model of the YF-22 Lightning II.
- Mobius One's F-22A from Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies is based on the real EMD 91-4001 prototype, featuring a distinct blueish paint scheme and golden engine plates.
- In the early stages of development of Ace Combat: Assault Horizon, the F-22A bore the "TY" tailcode of Tyndall Air Force Base. Tyndall is the home to the 43rd Fighter Squadron, the first operational Raptor squadron. The final tailcode, FF, represents the 1st Fighter Wing ("Fighting First"), the first wing of the USAF that operates the aircraft.
- In Ace Combat 7, the F-22A's wreckage always feature underwing pylons which are not present under normal circumstances.
- ↑ Players could use one Nonstandard Upgrade Request Form instead of credits for the Lv.6 upgrade.
References
- ↑ Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War - Assault Records #123.
- ↑ F-22A -Scarface1- description, Ace Combat Infinity.
- ↑ F-22A -Mobius1-, F-22A -Mobius2-, F-22A -Mobius3-, and F-22A -Mobius4- descriptions, Ace Combat Infinity.
- ↑ Breaking Arrows. Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies
- ↑ Sea of Chaos, Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War.
- ↑ Ace Combat 6 Assault Records #13 - Lucijan Markovic.
- ↑ Invasion of Gracemeria, Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation.
- ↑ The Moloch Desert, Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation.
- ↑ The Liberation of Gracemeria, Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation.
- ↑ Gracemeria Patrol, Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation.
- ↑ Chandelier, Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation.
- ↑ Lighthouse, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
- ↑ Dark Blue, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
- ↑ Mission 15B: "End of Deception II", Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception.
- ↑ Mission 13B: "Armada", Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception.
- ↑ "Scene 5", Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception.
- ↑ "Scene 6", Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception.
- ↑ Standoff in the Skies II: Leasath Side.
- ↑ Photosphere, page 6.
- ↑ F-22A Raptor goes operational. U.S. Air Force. Published December 15, 2005.
- ↑ F-22A -Antares- description, Ace Combat Infinity.
- ↑ See Antares One#Trivia for information on Antares One's canon aircraft.
- ↑ The Last Ace.
- ↑ Aftermath, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon.
- ↑ Home Front, Hurricane, and Akula, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon.
- ↑ F-22A -Reaper-, Ace Combat Infinity.
- ↑ Any Shadow Squadron appearance, Ace Combat Infinity.
Hangar view of Skin 01
Hangar view of Skin 02
Hangar view of Skin 03
Hangar view of Skin 04
Hangar view of Skin 05
Hangar view of SKin 06
Hangar view of Skin 07
Hangar view of Skin 08
Hangar view of Skin 09
Hangar view of Skin 10
Hangar view of Skin 11
Hangar view of Skin 12
Cockpit
Instruments
A Raptor on a runway
A Raptor engaging Tu-95s
Flyby
An F-22A with a number of F-15C Eagles
An F-22A and an F/A-18F Super Hornet
An F-22A being pursued by an Arsenal Bird and its MQ-101s
Flyby
An F-22A flying by an Su-30SM
An F-22A flying by an Su-30SM
An F-22A flying by an Su-30SM
F-22A firing missiles
Gameplay
Gameplay
Hangar view
Hangar view
Cockpit
Cockpit
Cockpit
Cockpit
Cockpit
Cockpit
Cockpit
Cockpit
Cockpit
Cockpit
Cockpit
Cockpit
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