Gaiaterra: Elysea's Conflict/F-22 Raptor

"Let's give them a airshow!"

-A F-22 Raptor appearing in the Airfield

The F-22B Raptor is the premier Advanced Tactical Fighter (or ATF) used by the Federation of Aquila's Air Force, currently used by Task Force Eagle, as all other Task Forces prefer the cheaper F-35 Widowmaker. The Raptor is capable of powerful and precise strikes against air and ground targets. Highly suited to dogfights, Raptors can quickly establish air superiority or provide air support to take out all but the heaviest ground units. This aircraft is set to be voiced by *TBA*

Tactical analysis

 * Apex Predator:
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History
In the 2000s V.C., the Federal Aquilan Air Force made a decision to scale down troubled F-35 Lightning II project. Long marred by overflowing costs, budget loss following the 2004 V.C. conflict, safety issues and a number of other problems, the Lightning was found to be far from the affordable, next generation fighter that it was supposed to be.

Controversially, the FAAF chose to pursue a revised version of the F-22 Raptor. Though at this time the Raptor was undoubtedly one of the most advanced fighters in the world, it was also extremely costly, making it impractically expensive to deploy in bulk.

Remarkably, a more economical variant of the Raptor, the F-22B, was introduced only a few years later, costing a fraction of the "A" variant's cost. Though with a much larger radar cross section and slightly reduced performance in some other areas, the new Raptor still retained most of its capability.

Trial by fire would come for the Air Force's new Raptors in the 2010s, when they were deployed in engagements against the forces of the Collective of Auring, proving their effectiveness in hunting down and destroying Collective with lethal precision. Even today, the Raptor remains the undisputed king of the skies, and the Federal Aquilan Air Force has no plans to retire it any time soon.

Deployments all-over Gaiaterra will likely see the Raptor butt heads with the Destroyers of Balthazar's Su-47 Berkut and Su-57 Felon (Voshkod), Su-30 Flanker (Encantadia) and Su-37 Terminator (Brotherhood). No one knows when the two will meet in the wild blue yonder, but with the latter's track record, the Raptor will likely further cement its reputation.

Trivia

 * The F-22 Raptor is buildable for all sub-factions in the Tacitus Stories Campaign from 2004 V.C. up until 2016 V.C.

Guardians of the Tacitus

 * F-35 Widowmaker (Aquila)
 * F-22 Raptor (Task Force Eagle)
 * Achilles Superiority Fighter (Alliance)
 * Firehawk (ADI)
 * Eagle Kai Plus (Protectorate)
 * Eurofighter (Andora)
 * Ares Interceptor (White Tundra Command)
 * MiG-144 (Empire)
 * Boramae (Community)

Destroyers of Balthazar

 * Su-47 Berkut (Voshkod)
 * Su-57 Felon "Sokol"
 * Su-37 Terminator (Brotherhood)
 * MiG Nine (Horde)
 * Moonsky Interceptor (MLA)
 * F-15S/MTD (Collective)
 * Su-30 Flanker (Encantadia)
 * ... (Scrin)

Neutrals

 * Xiphon Interceptor (Coalition)
 * Chaos Lightning Fighter (Heralds)
 * X-Wing (Order)
 * F-94D Starfire (Survivors)
 * Tiger Shark (Syndicate)
 * X-02 Wyvern (Conglomerate)
 * MiG-37 Ferret
 * ... (Legion)

DLC

 * Ironwing (Federation)
 * Lu Bu Noble Fighter (Corona)
 * ... (Party)
 * ... (Skynet)
 * ... (Dominion)
 * ... (Elemental)
 * TIE Defender (Autocracy)
 * F-111B Huntvark (League)
 * ... (Swarm)
 * F-104G Starfighter (Pirates)
 * Rafale (Elona)
 * Harmonizer VTOL (Ascalia)
 * Su-37C Confederator (Confederation)
 * Gripen (Kingdom)
 * Hemlock
 * ... (Goo)
 * Lavi (Security)
 * Horton Ho 229 (Imperium)
 * ... (Dynasty)
 * Walloper Supersonic Jet (Warlords)
 * ... (Cult)
 * Razorwing Jetfighter (Raiders)
 * Tarkan Interceptor (Theocracy)
 * Shikra (ASA)
 * YF-17 Cobra (Insurgents)
 * Bastion Eurofighter (Bastion)
 * ... (Guardians)
 * ... (Hierarchy)
 * ... (Sundered)
 * Firefox Interceptor (Ecumene)
 * E.E. Lightning (Concordat)
 * Roc QX-71 Advanced Fighter (Contingent)
 * ... (Rangers)
 * NATF (Eden)
 * ... (InGen)
 * ... (Hallows)
 * CF-105 Arrow (Commune)
 * Rafale (Clique)
 * Shinden Kai (Guild)
 * ... (Threat)
 * ... (Traders)