Lockheed Martin delivers 100th Raptor - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

Lockheed Martin delivers 100th Raptor

Lockheed Martin delivered the 100th F-22 Raptor to the Air Force on Wednesday in a ceremony at the company’s factory in Marietta, Ga.

The aircraft — Air Force serial number 05-0100 — will be assigned to the 90th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, according to a Lockheed media release.

During the ceremony, Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne signed the DD-250 form accepting the aircraft on behalf of the U.S. government.

The 90th Fighter Squadron is expected to receive its full complement of 20 F-22s by fall 2008, according to the release.

“The Raptor is providing top cover for America and our allies,” Lockheed Martin executive vice president Larry Lawson said at the ceremony. We have developed the most capable fighter in the world, which is exactly what the men and women defending us deserve.”

Production of each Raptor takes about 30 months, with 12 months dedicated to the final assembly process, the press release said.