Muv-Luv Lore:
Prior to full-scale production in 2001, the Raptor had undergone further testing with several pre-production units; its full designation is the F-22A Raptor Engineering and Manufacturing Development Phase, or F-22A EMD Phase2. All discovered faults on both YF-22s are rectified, with its final performance comparable to the production F-22A. This includes switching to the production-model FE119-PW-100 engines in its Jump Units rather than the trial models used on YF-22 N22YF (YF-22 Raptor Unit 2). The F-22A EMD Phase2 also used a cobalt-colored radio wave-absorbing paint, which would eventually be replaced by the grey-green radio wave-absorbing paint on the F-22A. The Raptor EMD Phase also retained the larger head fins of the YF-22.

Behind the Scenes:

Redeco of my previous F-22 Raptor. Unlike the real one, the nose antenna is removed.



A real F-22A Raptor EMD.

Real-World Lore:


The F-22 flight test program consisted of flight sciences, developmental test (DT), and initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) by the 411th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards AFB, California, as well as follow-on OT&E and development of tactics and operational employment by the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nevada. Flight testing began in 1997 with Raptor 4001, the first EMD F-22, and eight more EMD jets assigned to the 411th FLTS would participate in the test program under the Combined Test Force (CTF) at Edwards. The first two aircraft conducted envelope expansion testing such as flying qualities, air vehicle performance, propulsion, and stores separation. The third aircraft, the first to have production-level internal structure, tested flight loads, flutter, and JDAM separation, while two non-flying F-22s were built for testing static loads and fatigue. Subsequent EMD aircraft and the Boeing 757 FTB tested avionics, CNI, environmental qualifications, and observables, with the first combat-capable Block 3.0 software flying in 2001.^[170] Raptor 4001 was retired from flight testing in 2000 and subsequently sent to Wright-Patterson AFB for survivability testing, including live fire testing and battle damage repair training.^[171] Other retired EMD F-22s have been used as maintenance trainers.^[172]