A US Air Force F-22 Raptor has successfully loaded and fired a record-high 28 air-to-air missiles during a weapon system evaluation at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida.
The service’s 94th Fighter Squadron and 94th Fighter Generation Squadron initiated the live-fire test, employing more than $14 million of missiles.
According to the Air Combat Command, the squadrons demonstrated a “high-level of proficiency” while firing the weapons from the stealth tactical fighter aircraft.
“This just shows that we’re at the top of our game right now,” Staff Sgt. Edgar Baez-Lopez said. “As the 1st Fighter Wing, we’re already held to those high standards, but even for us, 28 air-to-air missiles is unheard of, and it’s record-setting for a reason.”
Providing Lethal Air Power
Senior Master Sgt. Jared Robinson said that demonstrating the Raptor’s ability to fire a record number of missiles shows that the aircraft is ready to provide the world’s “most lethal air power anywhere, anytime.”
The test also provided opportunities for the squadrons to assess their readiness to utilize the fighter aircraft to its full potential.
“The pilots go through the muscle motion of actually firing rounds or a missile, and the same goes for our maintainers to get the highest fidelity of training possible,” he stressed.
