Editing Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor (section)

===Training===
[[File:F-15 and F-22.JPG|thumb|left|2005: An F-22 of the [[43rd Fighter Squadron]] flies alongside an [[F-15]] of the [[27th Fighter Squadron]].]]

The [[43rd Fighter Squadron]] was reactivated in 2002 as the F-22 Formal Training Unit (FTU) for the type's basic course at [[Tyndall Air Force Base|Tyndall AFB]] and the first aircraft for pilot training was delivered in September 2003. Following severe damage to the installation in the wake of [[Hurricane Michael]] in 2018, the squadron and its aircraft were relocated to nearby Eglin AFB; although it was initially feared that several jets were lost due to storm damage, all were later repaired and flown out.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cohen |first=Rachel |url=https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2021/06/14/a-perfect-storm-airmen-f-22s-struggle-at-eglin-nearly-three-years-after-hurricane-michael/ |title='A perfect storm': Airmen, F-22s struggle at Eglin nearly three years after Hurricane Michael |work=Air Force Times |date=13 June 2021 |access-date=20 December 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313155357/https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2021/06/14/a-perfect-storm-airmen-f-22s-struggle-at-eglin-nearly-three-years-after-hurricane-michael/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The FTU and its aircraft were reassigned to the [[71st Fighter Squadron]] at Langley AFB in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3315512/f-22-raptor-ftu-begins-move-to-jble/ |title=F-22 Raptor FTU begins move to JBLE |work=U.S. Air Force (Air Combat Command) |date=1 March 2023 |access-date=13 March 2023 |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311014706/https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3315512/f-22-raptor-ftu-begins-move-to-jble/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

As of 2014, B-Course students require 38 sorties to graduate (previously 43 sorties). Track 1 course pilots, pilots retraining from other aircraft, also saw a reduction in the number of sorties needed to graduate, from 19 to 12 sorties.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Camelo |first1=Maj. Wilson |title=Tyndall AFB takes F-22 pilot training to next level |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/486936/tyndall-afb-takes-f-22-pilot-training-to-next-level/ |access-date=3 March 2024 |work=Air Force |date=30 July 2014}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> F-22 students are first trained on the [[Northrop T-38 Talon|T-38 Talon]] trainer aircraft. Additional pilot training takes place on the F-16 because the aging T-38 is not rated to sustain higher G-forces and lacks modern avionics.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Freed |first1=David |title=Meet the Jets Competing to Become the Next Air Force Trainer |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/t-38-replacements-180967111/ |access-date=2 March 2024 |work=Smithsonian Magazine |date=December 2017 |language=en}}</ref> Due to a lack of a modern trainer stand-in that can accurately emulate the F-22, the Air Force often uses F-22s to supplement training, which is costly as the F-22 costs almost 10 times more than the T-38 per flight hour.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ludwigson |first1=Jon |title=Advanced Pilot Trainer Program Success Hinges on Better Managing Its Schedule and Providing Oversight |url=https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-23-106205.pdf |access-date=2 March 2024 |work=Government Accountability Organization |date=May 2023 |pages=24–25}}</ref> The upcoming [[Boeing–Saab T-7 Red Hawk|T-7 Red Hawk]] features modern avionics that better approximate those of the F-22 and F-35.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Losey |first1=Stephen |title=With T-7 on the way, why is ACC eyeing a new trainer? |url=https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021/12/01/with-t-7-on-the-way-why-is-acc-eyeing-a-new-trainer/ |access-date=3 March 2024 |work=Defense News |date=1 December 2021 |language=en}}</ref> This is scheduled to enter initial operating capability in 2027, several years behind schedule.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Losey |first1=Stephen |title=Key milestone for new Boeing trainer aircraft delayed to 2027 |url=https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/04/28/key-milestone-for-new-boeing-trainer-aircraft-delayed-to-2027/#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20%E2%80%94%20Boeing's%20T%2D7A%20jet,escape%20system%20and%20ejection%20seat. |access-date=3 March 2024 |work=Defense News |date=28 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref> In 2014 the Air Force stood up the [[2nd Fighter Training Squadron]] at Tyndall AFB which was equipped with T-38s to serve as [[Aggressor squadron|adversary aircraft]] to reduce adversary training flights on the F-22s.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Albon |first1=Courtney |title=Graduating 28-30 students per year: F-22 Training Squadron Healthy As Operational Deployments Grow |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24803751 |access-date=3 March 2024 |work=Inside the Air Force |issue=40 |publisher=Inside Defense |date=2015 |volume=26 |pages=3–4|jstor=24803751 }}</ref> To reduce operating costs and prolong the F-22's service life, some pilot training sorties are performed using flight simulators.<ref name="tyndalltraining"/> The advanced F-22 weapons instructor course at [[USAF Weapons School]] is conducted by the [[433rd Weapons Squadron]] at Nellis AFB.<ref name="433d Weapons Squadron."/>