I got this second hand via email. I don't know any of the sources but it is an interesting read!

> Subject: Fw: Fighting the Raptor
>
> This piece was sent to me by Fred Buhl who was an Astra assigned to the
> TAC Fighter Division in Ops at the Pentagon at the time I was there. It
> confirms all I have been hearing about the lethality of the F-22. GB
>
> Another opinion of the F-22 forwarded from my friend, John Penney (who
> flies Rare Bear at Reno). I know the source, but not the author. Fred
>
> Subject: Fighting the Raptor
>
> A pilot's analysis of fighting the F-22.
>
> Sprey said his briefing focused on the time-tested factors that define
> an effective fighter plane: (1) See the enemy first; (2) outnumber the
> enemy; (3) outmaneuver the enemy to fire, and (4) kill the enemy quickly.
>
> Having spent two weeks fighting two raptors against 6-8 of our latest
> technology F-15Cs with datalink, AIM-9X, helmet mounted cueing system and
> the latest radar software, we:
>
> 1) ... never acquired the raptor with our radars before our eyes.
> We occasionally saw it in the cons at 60+K, but by that time we were
> already
>
> dead.
>
> 2) ... outnumbered the raptors 3-1 or 4-1, and never even got a
> valid shot off on one.
>
> 3) ... found the only BFM setup even worth attempting against a
> raptor is a 6K offensive setup, and you're just trying to keep from going
> defensive. If you're at 3K approaching a gun wez, he will stop so fast
> you can't help but overshoot. If you're at 9K offensive, he turns around
> and shoots you before you get to his turn circle. No need to even talk
> about when he starts offensive.
>
> 4) ... knowing the above info, killing the Raptor quickly wasn't
> an option, we couldn't kill even one!
>
> I was convinced. We were even fighting some of the initial lots of
> airplanes, before their data links were working correctly and they had
> older software. I haven't fought the newer lots flown at Tyndall or
> Langley, but I can assure you they are even more lethal. Sortie rates are
> on the rise, software stability is on the rise. All I can say to the
> critics is in 20 years when this airplane goes to war it will still
> dominate, just like the Eagle did when we employed it 18 years after
> fielding! - Leo
>

GOT TO LOVE THOSE RAPTOR'S!