The requests for proposals (RFP) that let to the F-22A Raptor, Advanced Tactical Fighter, entering service in December 2005 was let in September 1985! First flight of an actual F-22A (as opposed to YF-22A which is not very related at all) was in September 1997. So it takes 12 years to go from "we want one" to it flying and then eight more years for it to enter service.
And it's not speeding up.
The Joint Strike Fighter program dates from 1993 and the Common Affordable Lightweight Fighter program. The first F-35A flew in December 2006. The F-35A is expected to enter squadron service in December 2015. The F-35B first flew in June 2008 with a service entry date of Dec 2015. The F-35C is taking until February 2019 to get to the fleet after first flying in June 2010.
Thirteen, fifteen and seventeen years from program inception to first flights. Nine, seven and nine years from those flights to service or 22, 22 and 26 years total for each variation.
What the hell.
Oh and this is ALL Lockeed-Martin.
The F/A-18E went from RFP in 1992, first flight in 1995 and in service in 1999! Seven total years... Of course it is a development of the older F/A-18A... Sort of. It's really a new plane with similar aerodynamics.
The F/A-18A went from a study of the YF-17A in March 1977 to a first flight in November 1978 to entering service in January 1983. Even figuring that the YF-17A comes from the 1971 Lightweight Fighter Competition it's a much shorter gestation than F-22 or F-35. Even more impressive since the just short of two years from RPF to flying involved converting a plane from USAF to USN capability and partnering with another company to make them.
The F/A-18A goes from first concept to first flight in seven years then five years to service. If we include the legacy Hornet's development in the Super Hornet's it's STILL not worse because there's a decade of real service from earlier versions before the first flight.
It's not an unfair comparison either. The F/A-18A was pushing the technology boundaries as hard as the newer planes.
F-16A stems from the same 1971 LWF program and it first flew in January 1974 entering service in August 1978.
F-15A, FRP December 1965, first flight July 1972, service entry January 1976.
F-14A, a troubled program, FRP July 1968, First Flight December 1971, hit the fleet in September 1974.
F-111A, controversial and troubled, from the 1961 TFX, to flying in december 1964 to squadron service in July 1967.
The new planes are pushing the edges of technology, but so were every plane I mentioned. For less money and many more unknowns with regards to materials and aerodynamics.
By the way, take the government teat away and Boeing can go from sketches to first flight in six years with it entering airline service a year later. Seven years total, contemporaneously with the F-22 program, in fact. The Boeing 777 is an apt comparison because fighters are cheap, things that can accept atrocious safety and maintenance burdens.
