F-22 Fighter Jet Needed for High-Tech Future

Everest Riccioni’s representations of the F-22’s capabilities are not based on current facts and do not accurately reflect its true state (Commentary, Aug. 14). In testing conducted to date, the F-22 is meeting or exceeds all stealth criteria (visual, radar, electromagnetic emissions, infrared and sound). It provides greatly reduced vulnerability against surface-to-air missile systems and air-to-air missiles by combining stealth and super-cruise, the ability to fly supersonically without afterburners.

In the 21st century, air dominance will be critical to our nation’s security. Advanced fighters are being developed by several countries and are available for export. These include the French Rafael, the Eurofighter 2000 and the Russian Su-35. Combat jets now make up 60% of Russian arms exports. They incorporate technology that equals or surpasses that in our aging fighters. The sophistication of surface-to-air missile systems continues to advance with longer-range radar, anti-jamming protection and higher-capability missiles.

The F-22 can defeat these new, real threats. America needs an air-superiority fighter capable of fighting successfully while being outnumbered, or doing it over enemy territory in an advanced surface-to-air missile environment. The F-22 is demonstrating all of that today and will give our pilots the edge they’ve never had before: first look, first shot, first kill--undetected. To do any less for the men and women who risk their lives in defense of our country would be unconscionable.

Vance D. Coffman

Chairman, Lockheed Martin

Bethesda, Md.