Way Off Topic, but F22 Raptors are cool.

Back in my previous life I worked on these. One of those jobs I really enjoyed going to. Really cool when the test pilots would take them out and show the folks in Washington what there tax dollars are up to.

 

I have a nephew who flies the F-18.  I have begged and begged and begged for a ride.... Will keep trying.....  I even offered to cook...... 

I grew up a short swim from Pensacola, Naval Air Starion (home of the blue angels.) when I was a kid, they would buzz me when I was out in my small Jon boat, fishing.

In Afghanistan, if needed, there was usually a fighter jet or two up in the exosphere. When we needed help, we sometimes would request a "show of presense" and they would drop out of the sky at what seemed like Mach 500 and scare the bejesus out of every living thing, including us. The locals were usually more "accommodating" after that.

GreenhawK said:

Have you seen the Navy version of the F35?  I have seen a video of it, and it is awesome.  I hope they don't scrap it.

The F-35 is the cheaper replacement to the F-22, which they've discontinued.  Probably the last manned fighter we'll make - everything new is gonna be remotely-controlled or autonomous.  Watch out for Sky-Net!