F-22 Weapons Bay

A nice close up of the combat business part of an F-22 Raptor fighter, the US Air Force’s premier 5th generation fighter jet.  I took this at an air show at NAS Patuxent River a few years ago. Even though the Raptor had been flying since the mid 2000s, this was the first time I had seen this aircraft live and in person.  Very impressive.

The weapons bay are enclosed to maintain the aircraft’s stealth capabilities. The sharp angles of a missile profile as it hangs off a jet on a launch rail or pylon is what can give away radar position/location or radar data to an enemy system.  Hence the enclosed, internal weapons bay for air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM and Sidewinders) and a slightly lesser capability for air-to-surface munitions like the JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition.)   The F-22 can carry external ordnance and fuel tanks and would should the tactical situation dictate or allow it to operate in such a manner.