What nobody else will tell you about the U.S. F-22 stealth fighters deployed near Iran
They are all Block 3.0 (or Block 30) examples meaning that neither of them has received the latest upgrade (Block 3.1) that has brought the capability to find and engage ground targets using the Synthetic Aperture Radar mapping and eight GBU-39 SDBs (Small Diameter Bombs) to the troubled stealthy fighter.
Therefore they are hardly involved in any build-up process in the region, since their role in case of war on Iran, would be limited to the air-to-air arena: mainly fighter sweep (missions with the aim to seek out and destroy enemy aircraft prior to the arrival of the strike package), HVAA (High Value Air Asset) escort and DCA (Defensive Counter Air)…
Furthermore, the deployment is among those scheduled several month in advance and this is not the first time the F-22 deploys in the United Arab Emirates. In November 2009, some 1st Fighter Wing’s Raptors from Langley AFB, flew to Al Dhafra, to train with the French Air Force Rafales and the RAF Typhoons during exercise ATLC 2009.
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Thanks for sharing. I’m sure the USAF is just thrilled that this nobody blogger just got linked by a major US blog. I’m sure they won’t mind that the specific location of the deployment and detailed aircraft capabilities brief is out in the clear. Whether or not this is IO or legit, some things probably shouldn’t be linked. You might consider some editorial discipline in the future.
Froggy on April 30, 2012 at 2:01 PM
I really love it when the French write about “things military”.
The only interest the French have in keeping up with ROW military gear is help them identify who they need to surrender to.
BobMbx on April 30, 2012 at 2:03 PM
Any kill by our allies in an excercise of the F-22 is feel-good politics. The F-22 Raptor fully outfitted will annihilate any other aircraft in the theater of oprations. If one Raptor could kill 5 F-15′s in an exercise in 2009, there’s no way our allies could get it.
Also, if they are there, anything could be up.
HomeoftheBrave on April 30, 2012 at 2:03 PM
Froggy on April 30, 2012 at 2:01 PM
I don’t think these deployments are secret. The USAF has made public statements about the Gulf deployment. I’m sure these planes would be useful recon assets.
lexhamfox on April 30, 2012 at 2:12 PM
Froggy, I’ve been reading about that deployment for nearly a week now in various places. It’s old news. Generally, I agree, but in many cases you can learn about such deployments from the public relations offices of the various units involved. They generally aren’t a secret.
crosspatch on April 30, 2012 at 2:13 PM
The entire concept of the Raptor is to get into kill range without being detected. It does this magnificently. So much so that when it trains with the US and other air forces, they have to pretend the Raptor has found itself in a furball with other topline fighters.
Which, to use a well-known phrase, requires a willing suspension of dis-belief to start with.
“no, no, no….we start zee exercise within visual range…its the only way to be fair”
BobMbx on April 30, 2012 at 2:16 PM
HomeoftheBrave on April 30, 2012 at 2:03 PM
The story is makes sense. But that was when they were flying a visual engagement. In the same series the F22s did not even have to turn on their radars in the longer range engagements and swept them up.
The Rafale will probably get replaced by F35.
lexhamfox on April 30, 2012 at 2:23 PM
What the Aviationist didn’t tell you is that the F-22′s that were deployed are still able to carry out strike missions. They do carry 2 GBU-32/35 JDAMs. These would be pre-programmed for the strike. Also they F-22 would be able to engage SAM sites with these at well. My personal guess is that the F-22s are mapping out Iran’s radar sites and coverage. Then if the time comes they can sweep the airspace of Iranian fighters & bombers, plus take out several of the newer SAM sights such as the recently purchased Tor-M1. Also as the USAF has said they will be deploying a full squadron of 18 aircraft.
McBaine on April 30, 2012 at 2:34 PM
Question is, are the F22s there to support Israeli efforts to take out Iran’s nukes or are they there to shoot them down if they try?
Speakup on April 30, 2012 at 2:36 PM
I’d be OK with either. I bet the Israeli’s would, too. I just hope they can hold things off until January 2013. The present administration is somewhat anti-Israel.
HomeoftheBrave on April 30, 2012 at 2:57 PM
I would like to know in what world you envision France buying an American military aircraft of any type for any reason ever.
They envision themselves as a Great Power, and thus all military systems are all tied up in national pride and ego. Just take the example of the Eurofighter Typhoon consortium, which was to include France in the beginning since they do take part in the Airbus consortium with the UK, Germany and Spain. Because of nothing more than labor union politics and national pride demagoguery the French withdrew from the coalition very early in favor of developing an all French fighter for France, and to sell on the export market. The Typhoon and the Raphael are from the same set of requirements. The French govt. could have saved billions by joining the others and having the Typhoon be a Eurozone common defense fighter. Instead, they had to develop their own aircraft in parallel just so they could say it is all French.
The French will never purchase American front line military aircraft. They are still under the impression that their tank is superior to our M1A2 Abrams. After all, it was designed and built by Frenchmen in France, so it must by default be superior to all others. This is how they think in the French government.
They will decide to spend billions more to “answer” the American F-35 before they buy it from us.
Brian1972 on April 30, 2012 at 3:16 PM
Well, it does have 7 reverse gears and only one forward, so it retreats really, really fast!
Trafalgar on April 30, 2012 at 3:33 PM
In no world I can imagine.
In addition to the reasons you cite the French see themselves as competitors and players in the international military aircraft market. They offer their aircraft as an alternative to US aircraft.
farsighted on April 30, 2012 at 3:40 PM
Exactly correct.
There would be national outcry if the French govt. purchased front line kit from les Rosbifs (Brits), les Juifs (Jews), or les Americains…
To be fair though, the Brits only buy foreign kit due to budgetary concerns. They did, however, insist on creating their own assault rifle the SA-80 which was a total disaster until it was revised 10-15 times. The M16 platform would have suited them far better, but it was a national pride thing.
CorporatePiggy on April 30, 2012 at 3:45 PM
So what?
The Raptors are only needed to guarantee absolute air supremecy. Once you’ve got that, a one-eyed monkey with a baloon and a handful of smart bombs can do ground attack.
logis on April 30, 2012 at 4:07 PM
I took Speakup to mean shooting down the Israeli fighters.
BL@KBIRD on April 30, 2012 at 4:10 PM
Just because its out there, doesn’t mean it needs to be advertised. Aggregating data like this takes time and energy, there is nothing to be gained by doing our enemy’s work for them. What’s done is done, but I’m just suggesting that some judgment is warranted. I’m not ordering anybody around. Take it or leave it.
Froggy on April 30, 2012 at 4:46 PM
Ummm, not an expert here, but my understanding was the F-22 was an air superiority fighter not a ground attack strike fighter. So why would it matter if these F-22′s don’t have the 3.1 upgrade? Is the US Air Force short of long range bombers all of a sudden?
Browncoatone on April 30, 2012 at 8:02 PM