This F-22A Block 1 made its first flight on 12 Oct'02. It became an operational test and tactics development aircraft and was officially redesignated to F/A-22A on 17 Sep'02. The Raptor was assigned on 23 Oct'02 to the Dedicated Initial Operational Test & Evaluation (DIOT&E) program at Palmdale (CA). Was rebuilt to F/A-22 Block 10, started to fly with the Follow-On Test and Evaluation (FOT&E) modifications from Palmdale, was moved to the Night Air-to-Air Refuelling (NAAR)-modifications at Palmdale from Jul'05. The 5th gen jet was redesignated to F-22A on 15 Dec'05. Pictured here in Golden Hour

Future fighter pilots please look closely, this will be the aircraft you will be flying in the future. This aircraft is operated by the 422nd TES, tailcode 'OT', and the test pilot is giving us a nice wave after the display of the Raptor.