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 The F-22 successfully completed all planned static testing, demonstrating that the structural integrity of the airframe can withstand forces fifty percent higher than those expected in its service life. This milestone completed almost three years of full-scale static testing on Raptor 3999, one of two non-flying F-22 airframes located at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Marietta, Georgia. “The success of this static testing is testament to the sophisticated tools and talents of the dedicated engineers who designed the F-22,” said Bob Rearden, F-22 program general manager for Lockheed Martin. Since 1999, the integrity of Raptor 3999’s airframe has been validated through loads applied by numerous hydraulic rams designed to simulate forces the aircraft actually encounters during flight. |
