Re. F-22's climb rate and max speed: One of the YF-22 prototypes was
flown to Mach 2.0 during the flight test program. Speed was deliberately
held down to this level because flutter clearance had not been approved
for higher speeds. For the production F-22A, my guess is that the max.
sustained speed in afterburner would be about Mach 2.3 with a possible
dash speed of Mach 2.5+. Since most of the F-22's structure is made up of
composites and aluminum with Bismaleimide composite skin, the absolute
maximum speed would be limited by skin temperature, not drag.
The big difference between the F-22 and F-15 is that the '22 could reach
these speeds with a full load of weapons, while the Eagle would have to be
stripped of all missiles and pylons to hit it's theoretical top speed of
Mach 2.54. Of course, the F-22's real advantage is it's ability to cruise
at Mach 1.5 in military power - an F-15 would have to stay in 'burner to
maintain such a speed, and would empty it's fuel tanks very quickly.
As far as climb rate is concerned, who knows? Considering the advantages
in thrust and lifting ability, it should be something awesome...
"There is no such thing as a large whiskey." - Rev. Patrick Mahaffey
- Darryl Smith