AFMC on track to deliver more F-22As

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- With F-22A deliveries consistently on or ahead of schedule, the Air Force received authorization from Congress to pursue multi-year agreements for Lots 7, 8, and 9, with the potential for cost savings in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

The contracts with Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney will be awarded later this summer.

The 478th Aeronautical Systems Wing at Aeronautical Systems Center here is overseeing the production, delivery, and fielding of additional aircraft every month. With more than 90 Raptors delivered to date, the F-22 program is running smoothly on all cylinders, according to Brig. Gen. C.D. Moore, 478th AESW commander.

"We're delivering Raptors to the warfighters, and we're pushing the first of four modernization upgrades to the field," General Moore said. "It's been a banner year so far as we continue to deliver the world's only operational fifth generation fighter."

The 27th Fighter Squadron and 94th Fighter Squadron of the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley AFB, Va., have received a full complement of Raptors. Two Raptors supporting training are in place at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, with additional Raptors arriving this summer. Future deliveries are planned for Holloman AFB, N.M., and Hickam AFB, Hawaii.

The 478th AESW is focusing on Raptor sustainment as well, preparing to award a performance-based logistics support contract later this year. The contract will establish a 10-year business agreement between the Air Force and prime contractors. Air Force depots will perform much of the depot-level support work in partnering arrangements with industry to ensure surge capacity and to comply with Congressional language.

In addition to managing deliveries, securing a multi-year procurement contract, and solidifying Raptor sustainment, the 478th AESW is driving ongoing modernization efforts to add additional combat capabilities and upgrades to the F-22, encompassing both software and hardware changes.