Pulling files from: http://www.airspaceonline.com/Aircraft/McDill/AF_02-028_F-22/

I'd love to talk about observations I made shooting this plane. Now I would LOVE to know ALL the answers to the questions I am about to ask. I would love to know more answers then I have questions BUT!!! Please do NOT violate OPSEC!!!

OK, That being said lets start with this horrifically blown out aft shot:


The first thing that comes to mind is Why is the port Elevator deflected while the Starboard remains fixed in a 'normal' position?
Next question is the splayed tabs are obviously in place for thrust vectoring up and down. Do the two parts in the middle and outside of the exhaust move as well, and how IE do they just compress in or vector as well?

Next Picture:

Working left to right there are 3 remove before flight tags. Obviously pitot on the far left, almost obviously static ground on the far right. I'm guessing the middle one is pitot static, but the mechanisim looks strange, almost like the thing attached to the tag has to hold the static port out to cover it.

Next:

Several things are curious.
#1 this is our best fighter, yet despite known canopy issues (ok maybe just one event), it sits there in the hot sun with no protection for the HUD or ejection seat; Why?
#2 I'm guessing the obvious access hatch in front is standard computer access whatnot
#3 Right in front of that access panel is what I would think is the 'real' pitot static port.
#4 Just inside the intake there are grills that support airflow away from the engine? What for?
#5 The two Dark patches just above the intake (Guessing sensors)
#6 The Bright patch aft of the canopy (Guessing sensors)
#7 The barely visable buble Immediately behind the canopy

And Finally:

#1 The bright metal Diamond above the bay door, Looks like another pitot staic port candidate
#2 That NASTY ASSED exhaust port above the aft part of the rail that obviously seems to emit smoke during flight judging by the port landing gear door.
#3 What's the patch in front of it that's clean?
#4 Ok, they opened the doors and extended the rail, Why? To me it makes it obvious what can and cannot be carried there
#5 Just Aft of the port Rail doors are another pair of doors obviously seperated by a bulkhead, SO whatever those doors open up for have nothing to do with the front main doors, what are they 'hiding'?
#6 There is obviously a sensor package at the root of the wing encompasing top to bottom.
#7 The seperate sensors top and bottom of the wing just aft of the wing root sensor(s).

Thanks for answering what questions you can, I apreciate it!!

I'll try and answer some of the stuff from what I see...

First pic
#1 The elevators might be in two different positions due to two different systems, left and right possibly?
#2 The parts in the middle and outside of the intakes do not move.

Second pic
No answers there.

Third pic
#1 Maybe they forgot?
#2 I believe you are correct that it is an avionics/computer access hatch.
#4 That grill is probably for an APU intake if the Raptor has one (which I assume it does)
#5 Most likely, the Raptor has infrared search and track systems among others.
#6 More sensors
#7 Probably satellite communications

Fourth pic
#2 Probably an APU
#3 Probably access to said APU
#4 You might not be interested but others might be.  
#5 I'm guessing those doors are where the fuel filling ports are?

In picture 4, what is that white patch with the opening on the dorsal side above the rear wheel? Could that be the APU intake?

What problems existed with the windshield Ted?

SP-90, do you mean that scoop thingie?


Andrea Kent

Quoting SP90 (Reply 2): In picture 4, what is that white patch with the opening on the dorsal side above the rear wheel? Could that be the APU intake?

Yes probably.

Quoting Blackbird (Reply 3): What problems existed with the windshield Ted?

At one point the canopy jammed shut on a pilot on the ground and they had to cut out the canopy with a chainsaw. The problem has since been fixed.

Quoting TedTAce (Thread starter): #1 this is our best fighter, yet despite known canopy issues (ok maybe just one event), it sits there in the hot sun with no protection for the HUD or ejection seat; Why?

I don't think I've ever seen too much in the way of HUD or ejection seat protection. I've seen leather coverings over the HUD and the top of the seat. Is that what you are referring to or have you seen more elaborate devices?

Quoting TedTAce (Thread starter): #4 Just inside the intake there are grills that support airflow away from the engine? What for?

My guess is for some kind of RAM air system.

Quoting TedTAce (Thread starter): #5 Just Aft of the port Rail doors are another pair of doors obviously seperated by a bulkhead, SO whatever those doors open up for have nothing to do with the front main doors, what are they 'hiding'?

This again is a guess but I would think those might be the chaff and flare compartment. One other a/c they are usually on the wingtips however to allow the vorticies to mix the chaff. If you ever get a chance to look at the underside of an A-10 you can see it very easily.

Quoting Blackbird (Reply 3): What problems existed with the windshield Ted?

BlladeWS got it, Thanks Blade...

Quoting KevinSmith (Reply 5): I've seen leather coverings over the HUD and the top of the seat

   Everytime I see a military A/C out in the sun and closed off there is usually a shroud for the HUD and top of the eection seat.

Quoting KevinSmith (Reply 5): If you ever get a chance to look at the underside of an A-10 you can see it very easily.

I will make that observation next chance I get.

Quoting TedTAce (Reply 6): I will make that observation next chance I get.

That being said let me clarify my own words as to avoid confusion. The flare/chaff pods look like a grill and are on the underside of the tips of the wings.

i think the set of doors that arnt open on the last pic may well be a RAT, thats just a guess though.

Fred

Quoting TedTAce (Thread starter): #2 That NASTY ASSED exhaust port above the aft part of the rail that obviously seems to emit smoke during flight judging by the port landing gear door.

That's the exhaust for the Stored Energy System (SES).

Quoting TedTAce (Thread starter): #5 Just Aft of the port Rail doors are another pair of doors obviously seperated by a bulkhead

That's where the chaff and flares are located.

Quoting Blackbird (Reply 3): What problems existed with the windshield Ted?

There was a problem with the actuator. It was subsequently corrected and likely by now all a/c have been retrofitted.

Regards,
Lotsamiles

Quoting TedTAce (Thread starter): #4 Ok, they opened the doors and extended the rail, Why? To me it makes it obvious what can and cannot be carried there

It is no secret what can be carried in the bays, and as I say below, it appears to be at an Airshow or display of some sort.

Quoting TedTAce (Thread starter): #1 this is our best fighter, yet despite known canopy issues (ok maybe just one event), it sits there in the hot sun with no protection for the HUD or ejection seat; Why?

This appears to be on display, and they must be designed to sit out in the sun or what good would they be? The sun is much more intense at 60,000 feet

Did you catch the episode of Monk with the F-22? I was surpised ad how many close up shots there were.

Quoting TedTAce (Thread starter): #4 Just inside the intake there are grills that support airflow away from the engine? What for?

This is probably boundary layer suction. It's not unique to the F-22. Most military aircraft have it. It's to bleed off boundary layer growth before air enters the engine.

Quoting Vzlet (Reply 9): That's the exhaust for the Stored Energy System (SES).

What's a Stored Energy System? Is this anything like the hydrazine-fueled emergency power system on an F-16?

Quoting Vzlet (Reply 9): Stored Energy System

Leads to:

Quoting GrandTheftAero (Reply 12): What's a Stored Energy System? Is this anything like the hydrazine-fueled emergency power system on an F-16?

Quoting Vzlet (Reply 9): That's where the chaff and flares are located.

a pair of seemingly authortative answers. Do you have a source or do you 'just know'   ?

Quoting DeltaDC9 (Reply 11): The sun is much more intense at 60,000 feet

Yeah, BUT usually there is cool airflow in the cockpit  

Quoting DeltaDC9 (Reply 11): episode of Monk

   I have never found myself appreciating the commercials for Monk, so.. I have never bothered. If you can tell me when the f-22 episode is going to air again, I'll try to catch it, and maybe you'll 'convert' me  

Quoting TedTAce (Reply 13): a pair of seemingly authortative answers. Do you have a source or do you 'just know' ?

Let me see if I can find my Holiday Inn Express receipt...

That info is from Technical Order 00-105E-9, which provides fire/rescue personnel pertinent information about NATO aircraft.

Quoting Vzlet (Reply 14): That info is from Technical Order 00-105E-9, which provides fire/rescue personnel pertinent information about NATO aircraft.

  kewel

After looking that up:                               

Man it's amazing what's on the internet  

Thank you