FB-22 Strike Raptor

Overview
The FB-22 is a strategic bomber concept that has made the rounds in the United States congress and has had developed a fair amount of interest from government sources and the public, but has been shelved while more considerations is made in developing upgrades to the Air Force’s B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit fleets. The theory behind the FB-22 regards the post-cold war axiom that the age of the large-payload bomber is obsolete, and smaller, tactical aircraft see a better mission execution capability rate and a far better chance of survival in the future’s conventional wars. This was proven partially true in both Vietnam and the Persian Gulf, with tactical aircraft like the F-15E Strike Eagle executing strategic bombing operations up to par with its larger bomber counterparts. The FB-22 builds on the tactical bomber concept by modifying the F-22 airframe to suite an air-to-ground role. It is a two-seater, longer delta-wing version of the F-22, carrying a larger payload and dual AIM-120C missiles for self-defense. It would retain its super-cruise and stealth capabilities from its predecessor. Concepts have most famously portrayed it as a tailless-delta, though there have been additional concepts showing it with enlarged versions of the F-22’s two-poster rudder design. Its primary armament would consist of up to 30 small-diameter guided bombs (SDB), which would do concentrated damage to separate designated targets. To carry this larger payload, it would likely be equipped with the powerful F135 engine found on the Joint Strike Fighter. Given the great expense of the F-22’s production line and the low-priority of a new bomber aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, it’s likely that the FB-22 will keep its place on the drawing board unless a high-demand arises within the next few decades.

Origin: (Real World)
United States of America

Featured In
Ace Combat 05: The Unsung War Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception

Operators
Aurelian Air Force Leasath Air Force Osean Air Defense Force Yuktobanian Air Force

Ace Squadrons/Pilots
Proteus (AC5) Orca (ACX)

Weapons
Gun / 20mm M61A2 Vulcan Cannon Standard Missiles / AIM-9M Sidewinder GPB / Paveway III (ACX) SOD / AGM-154 JSOW (Joint Standoff Weapon) (AC5/ACX) XMAA / AIM-120 AMRAAM (ACX)

Stats
Speed: 73 Mobility: 73 Stability: 89 Defense: 78 Air-to-Air: 54 Air-to-Ground: 99