Lockheed Martin’s F-22 Raptor returned to the skies recently in a series of test and production flights, the first since a four-month fleet stand down was lifted on September 19, 2011, by the US Air Force.

Aircraft flown are preparing for delivery to the US Air Force. Specific delivery schedules and flight activities are being aligned in conjunction with customer specifications and testing parameters. F-22 final assembly line schedule was not impacted by the stand down and the team continues to roll out Raptors on time, with final aircraft completing in December 2011.

“It’s exciting to see the F-22 Raptor back in the skies,” said Jeff Babione, Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin’s F-22 programme. “We are dedicated to supporting our customer in return-to-flight activities. It takes a strong team to design, build, maintain and operate the Raptor. I’m proud to be part of such a team.”

The F-22 Raptor entered service in 2005. As of May 2011, the US Air Force has fielded 170 of the aircraft. As America’s primary air superiority weapon system, the F-22 has flown more than 300 missions in support of Operation Noble Eagle and deployed on a rotational basis to the Pacific region and Southwest Asia. F-22 overseas deployments support the Department of State’s theatre security programme, formal arrangements with our foreign partners to establish defence cooperation, promote regional stability and deter potential aggression.