U.S. Air Force declares FOC on F-22 RaIL

  • Published
  • 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  The Raptor Avionics Integration Laboratory (RaIL) here, completed a seamless conversion of avionics sustainment from contractor to an organic operation, eight days ahead of schedule, the first ever transition of such a complex operation. The Air Force RaIL has been organically performing the critical avionics sustainment function for the F-22 Raptor here since April 10.

The RaIL is successfully accomplishing critical software integration activities for the F-22 Raptor, the world's most advanced fighter jet, at a state-of-the-art government facility.

"The successful transition of the F-22 RaIL system test lab to Hill AFB as a public/private partnership with Lockheed Martin has been an excellent example of how the Air Force can work with private contractors to produce superb results, said Maj. Gen H. Brent Baker Sr., Ogden Air Logistics Complex commander.

Ten civil service employees are now part of an intensive two year training program to ensure the long term continuity of this operation and to lay the groundwork for additional workload to migrate from other contractor facilities to the RaIL.

The Raptor was the first combat aircraft ever flown with an integrated avionics suite, which maximizes aircraft performance while allowing pilots to concentrate on the mission, rather than on managing individual sensors as in current fighters.

There are over a million lines of software code working together in a Raptor, and the sophistication of the various systems requires integration at many levels, including sensor control, sensor data fusion, the architectural components that support these functions, and the displays that are the primary means of communication with the pilot.

"Colocating the F-22 and F-16 software sustainment teams at OO-ALC is proving to be advantageous to both fighter programs through the sharing of expertise and resources," said Baker.

The integrated avionics system is a key element in providing the Raptor's tactical advantage -- first look, first shot, first kill capability, and the RaIL plays a vital role ensuring newly developed software and the existing integrated avionics suite and its associated hardware work together harmoniously.

"We look forward to developing new and expanding current relationships with our partners as additional software workloads transition into sustainment at the OO-ALC," said Baker.

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio manages the F-22 program.