First Flight For Final Raptor

Posted 15 March 2012

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Photo by Thinh D. Nguyen

The final F-22 Raptor was flown for the first time on 15 March 2012 from the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, Georgia. Company test pilot Bret Luedke put the aircraft (Air Force serial number 10-4195) through a 1.5-hour initial airworthiness flight, reaching a maximum speed of Mach 1.5. After final prep and the aircraft's exterior coatings are applied, Raptor 4195 will be delivered to the 3rd Wing at JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, in early May. Raptors at Elmendorf are flown by pilots from the active duty 90th and 525th Fighter Squadrons and the 302nd FS, an Air Force Reserve Associate squadron.

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