Fighter Jet Dazzles Airshow

Overseas audiences meet the F-22 'Raptor'
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 14, 2008 3:05 PM CDT
Fighter Jet Dazzles Airshow
A United States F-22 Raptor fighter plane flies over during a display at the Farnborough aerospace show, in Farnborough, England, Monday July 14, 2008.    (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

Aviation experts were treated to a display of the world’s most advanced fighter jet at the kickoff of the Farnborough International Airshow today in England, Reuters reports. In its first international exhibition, the Lockheed Martin F-22 “Raptor” executed a dizzying array of flips, dips, and dives as it showed off the dual engines that allow it to achieve twice the speed of sound.

"If you know the principles of flight, it defies that," said the awestruck chief of staff of Malaysia’s air force. Foreign governments have expressed interest in buying the F-22, but American law forbids its sale. The Raptor is currently in budget limbo, and the next president will have to decide whether to continue production. (More aviation stories.)

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