Raptor (Generals)

"Let's give 'em an air show!"

- Raptor reporting for duty.

The F-22 Raptor is the USA's primary all-purpose attack aircraft during the War against the GLA. A relatively light and fast aircraft, the Raptor is armed with four missiles that could be used against either ground or air targets.

Background
Both the US Air Force and the Navy use the Raptor, although the Navy aircraft was generally modified to be lighter (with only two missiles) for use on aircraft carriers.

The inherent vulnerability of the Raptor to anti-aircraft eventually inspired the development of the King Raptor. Air Force General Granger helped to develop a new generation of Raptors dubbed 'King Raptors', that included a number of notable improvements in design.

Game unit
"I see 'em..."

- Raptor about to attack another aircraft.

Essentially the most powerful multirole fighter (bar the King Raptor) in the game, they are efficient anti-vehicle bombers, excelling at destroying unprotected enemy vehicles.

Raptors are nonetheless highly vulnerable to anti-aircraft fire, especially from weapon platforms such as the Quad cannon. As they were quite expensive to construct and equally fragile, commanders had to take great care to prevent unnecessary losses.

Notable events
"We're going down!"

- An unfortunate Raptor.

Navy Raptors aboard the USS Reagan assisted greatly in the removal of GLA forces from coastal areas; however, many of the aircraft were subsequently lost when the Reagan was sunk by the GLA. Tales abound of desperate pilots attempting to take off from the deck of the sinking Reagan (which was cut in two), only to plummet into the sea.

Changelog

 * Generals sneak peek patch 1.02: now slightly more effective against Stinger sites
 * Zero Hour patch 1.03: laser missile upgrade fixed