The YF-22 "Raptor" is an advanced fighter prototype built by Lockheed - Boeing - General Dynamics.
In 1981, the Air Force developed a requirement for an
Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) as a new air superiority
fighter. It would take advantage of the new technologies in
fighter design on the horizon including composite materials,
lightweight alloys, advanced flight control systems, higher
power propulsion systems, and stealth technology. Air Force
leaders believed these new technologies would make
aircraft like the F-15 and F-16 obsolete by the early 21st century. In 1985, the Air Force sent out
technical requests for proposals to a number of aircraft manufacturing teams. The
Lockheed-Boeing-General Dynamics team built two YF-22 prototypes, one with General Electric
YF-120 engines and the other with Pratt & Whitney YF-119 engines. After extensive flight tests the
Lockheed team won the airframe competion and the Pratt & Whitney team the engine contract.
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