Raptor crashes in US

RedRalph · Mar 25, 2009

From BBC

A state-of-the-art US air force F-22 fighter has crashed in the desert in southern California, the Pentagon says.

The fate of the pilot was not immediately known after the plane, which was on a test mission, came down near Edwards Air Force Base.

The US air force website lists the F-22 Raptor, which is made by Lockheed Martin, as its newest fighter.

The air force said the jet has "better reliability and maintainability than any fighter aircraft in history".

The F-22 crashed at about 1000 local time (1700 GMT), officials said.

Rescue teams were reported to be on their way to the crash site.

The $140m (£96m), supersonic F-22 is a so-called fifth generation jet, and arguably the world's most sophisticated fighter.

It is capable of both air-to-air and ground attacks.

But the $65 billion F-22 programme has faced criticism, with opponents saying the jet is too costly and not sufficiently versatile.

The US government is committed to buying 183 F-22s reduced from the original plan laid out in the 1980s to build 750, the Associated Press news agency reported.

The air force said the crash was the second involving an F-22.

"The first one was during the aircraft's test and evaluation period in December 2004 also at Edwards, during which the pilot ejected safely," a statement said.

Interesting. Hope it was mechanical failure.

Shekwan · Mar 25, 2009

I don't know anything about fighter jets, is theF-22 the one everyone says is the best in the world?

Phlegmak · Mar 25, 2009

RedRalphWiggum said:
From BBC

Interesting. Hope it was mechanical failure.

You should include the link, even if it's easy to find.

Gogf · Mar 25, 2009

RedRalphWiggum said:
Hope it was mechanical failure.

And why is that?

Narz · Mar 25, 2009

The air force said the jet has "better reliability and maintainability than any fighter aircraft in history".

Reminds me of a certain ship that started with Tit.

RedRalph · Mar 25, 2009

Gogf said:
And why is that?

Hubris overturned is always nice to see

cubsfan6506 · Mar 25, 2009

Damn I payed fifty cents for that.

Labtec600 · Mar 25, 2009

It's a new plane...wouldnt expect all the problems to be worked out yet.

Formaldehyde · Mar 25, 2009

RedRalphWiggum said:
Hubris overturned is always nice to see

Indeed......

Holycannoli · Mar 25, 2009

It's been around for over a decade now. It's not really "new".

The new jets are the ones that are still classified. They may not even jets for all we know. How long was the F22 around before the public knew about it? Or the stealth bomber or fighter? Years.

Still no update on the condition of the pilot, or the cause of the crash? Initial reports say it was a training exercise, but isn't every military accident a training exercise? (that's the conspiracy theorist in me

)

Formaldehyde · Mar 25, 2009

Since it happened right next to Edwards, my money would be on a test flight.

EDIT: Look at that. I was right..

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hmfwSyhmPuqX414lfoKORbnZN9sAD97597CG0

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AP) — One of the Air Force's top-of-the-line F-22 fighter jets crashed Wednesday in the high desert of Southern California. There was no immediate word on whether the pilot ejected.

The F-22 Raptor crashed 35 miles northeast of Edwards Air Force Base, Pentagon spokesman Gary Strassburg said. He had no information about the area where the jet crashed.

Rescue crews were en route and the status of the pilot was unknown, said Air Force Maj. David Small at the Pentagon.

Small said the jet, assigned to the 411th Flight Test Squadron of Edwards' 412th Test Wing, was on a test mission but he did not know its nature. The crash occurred at midmorning.

Labtec600 · Mar 25, 2009

Holycannoli said:
It's been around for over a decade now. It's not really "new".

The new jets are the ones that are still classified. They may not even jets for all we know. How long was the F22 around before the public knew about it? Or the stealth bomber or fighter? Years.

Still no update on the condition of the pilot, or the cause of the crash? Initial reports say it was a training exercise, but isn't every military accident a training exercise? (that's the conspiracy theorist in me )

It said it was a "test flight". So who knows, obvioiusly what they were testing should probably be modified with this result.

lovett · Mar 25, 2009

Gogf said:
And why is that?

I think the term is 'Schadenfreude'

Formaldehyde · Mar 25, 2009

Labtec600 said:
It said it was a "test flight". So who knows, obvioiusly what they were testing should probably be modified with this result.

In many test flights, the plane is deliberately taken beyond the limits usually imposed on other pilots for safety reasons. There will always be test flight crashes and consequent deaths.

Who knows how many there have already been? I tried finding a list on the internet but I struck out. I'd probably have to make a trip to the Happy Bottom Riding Club and count the photos on the wall - that is if they are still there and still kept up-to-date.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rancho_Oro_Verde_Fly-Inn_Dude_Ranch

http://www.chuckyeager.com/specialfeatures/Pancho.htm

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086197/quotes

Pancho Barnes: What are you two rookies gonna have?
Gordon Cooper: Rookies? Now hold on, sis. You are looking at a whole new ballgame here now. In fact, in a couple of years, I bet you're even gonna immortalize us by putting our pictures up there on your wall.
[unwittingly referring to the dead pilot memorial over the bar]
Gordon Cooper: What? I say somethin' wrong here?
Pancho Barnes: I tell you, we got two categories of pilots around here. We got your prime pilots that get all the hot planes, and we got your pud-knockers who dream about getting the hot planes. Now what are you two pud-knockers gonna have? Huh?

Patroklos · Mar 25, 2009

The new jets are the ones that are still classified. They may not even jets for all we know. How long was the F22 around before the public knew about it? Or the stealth bomber or fighter? Years.

There was a public competition in the late 80s ending in the early 90s to select the lead design, so it was known about pretty soon after conception.

Kozmos · Mar 25, 2009

The aliens shoot it down.

pew pew pew

Kal'thzar · Mar 25, 2009

Holycannoli said:
It's been around for over a decade now. It's not really "new".

The new jets are the ones that are still classified. They may not even jets for all we know. How long was the F22 around before the public knew about it? Or the stealth bomber or fighter? Years.

Still no update on the condition of the pilot, or the cause of the crash? Initial reports say it was a training exercise, but isn't every military accident a training exercise? (that's the conspiracy theorist in me )

So its actually a still classified "plane" that can't be de-classified, hence the lack of further information, and calling it the next nearest thing to give some people the slip?

MobBoss · Mar 25, 2009

RedRalphWiggum said:
Hubris overturned is always nice to see

Hmmmm. Not sure I see the benefit of actually wishing ill on others. But thats just me.

Narz · Mar 25, 2009

lovett said:
I think the term is 'Schadenfreude'

No, I don't think so.

lovett · Mar 25, 2009

Narz said:
No, I don't think so.

RedRalphWiggum said:
Hubris overturned is always nice to see

Seems like it to me.

Raptor crashes in US

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