pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

[Drew Hopman]

loading photo ...

[ZZII 527]

That is an amazing picture. They definitely have the best seat in the house. Any chance there is a higher-res version (1920w or larger)? (I'm shopping for a new desktop wallpaper.)

I take it that is done for security purposes? Has that always been standard operating procedure or just post-9/11?

[chris31]

Cool pic. What is the purpose of the Raptor being up in the air during launch?

[Gamer930]

If you click on the picture it will open a new window with the high resolution version. . . Looks perfect on my desktop. . . I was getting sick of seeing Paris at night on my secondary monitor.

[alex1699]

Originally Posted by Gamer930

If you click on the picture it will open a new window with the high resolution version. . . Looks perfect on my desktop. . . I was getting sick of seeing Paris at night on my secondary monitor.

it does make a perfect desktop

[Protronie]

Great more space junk going up... just as some comes down.

Is a cool pic... I still like the F-15 Eagle, course I'm also a fan of the B-52 BUFF.

[hipsterjr]

For anyone going to the Florida regional:
A shuttle is scheduled to launch that Wednesday/ Thursday at 1AM. We are going to try to see it.

[Spiders]

Awsome pic, thnx for sharing. isnt the joint strike fighter gonna be the newest one? im not sure of the name, maybe it is the raptor lol

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Spiders

Awsome pic, thnx for sharing. isnt the joint strike fighter gonna be the newest one? im not sure of the name, maybe it is the raptor lol

JSF's official designation is the F-35 Lightning II. (The original Lightning name went to the WWII-era P-38.) The Raptor (pictured) is the F-22.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by chris31

Cool pic. What is the purpose of the Raptor being up in the air during launch?

According to the caption, it's for air cover.

The translation is that if anything is in the air that shouldn't be there (other than birds), the F-22's job is to escort it out of the area, or else send it to the ground in pieces/flames.

That's sick. The F-22 is bomb.

I can't wait until the USN/USMC gets upgraded from F-18's.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Jaybee1405

That's sick. The F-22 is bomb.

I can't wait until the USN/USMC gets upgraded from F-18's.

Isn't the Navy getting the JSF and not the F-22?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Cory

Isn't the Navy getting the JSF and not the F-22?

I think every branch is getting some version of the F-35. Navy has different needs than USAF; e.g. arrestor hooks.

[Tom Bottiglieri]

Originally Posted by Cory

Isn't the Navy getting the JSF and not the F-22?

Yup, F-35 is the replacement for F-18.

F-35 = Compact car
F-22 = Ferrari

[minirose224]

Shane-
This looks to be a higher res link. However I am not sure.
http://www.airshowbuzz.com/files/pho...ig_1_3822f.jpg