Why were there so many names for the F-22 Ligtning/Rapier/Raptor?

Factual Questions
1

Pardon me for posting, but I was wondering…Does anyone know why there were so many different names used for the F-22 Fighter? As I remember, first it was the “Lightning II”, then for a while it was the “Rapier”, NOW it’s the “Raptor.” Can anyone enlighten me?

Thanks for your time,
Nick gaston

2

Lightning II was the lockheed’s unofficial name for its prototype, the YF-22A. Rapier and (gag) Superstar were production names under consideration by the Pentagon until it went into service. The in-service name is Raptor.

3

Make that “…was Lockheed’s unofficial…”

4

According to mixed (and confused) Google search results, Lockheed suggested ‘Lightning II’ for the YF-22 prototype. The USAF didn’t like this. Cheney suggested ‘Super Star’ (to honour the old ‘Shooting Star’) but was thankfully booed down. ‘Rapier’ was a popular suggestion around the same time, but ‘Raptor’ was selected by the USAF.

Other sites claim ‘Lightning II’ was either the prototype radio call-sign or purely a provisional name (alongside ‘Black Widow II’ for the competing YF-23 design), and that ‘Rapier’ was purely media invention.

5

I’m wondering if Rapier might not have been the result of a hurried glance at Raptor - someone perhaps saw Raptor in print, misread it as Rapier, and passed on the incorrect name?

Just a random thought…

6

And I’m wondering why both the YF-22 and YF-23 both took their working names from twin-boomed strategic pursuit aircraft from WWII (well, the P-61 was a night fighter, but…).

7

Well, the P-38 Lightning was one of the more well-rounded fighters of WW2. It had good range, good speed, good maneuverability and was used as an interceptor quite a bit (they shot down Yamamoto’s transport, for instance) Since interception is the role the F-22 is destined for and it also performs pretty well in all categories, the Lightning’s legacy is as applicable as any. It’s no more of a stretch than “Thunderbolt II” is for the A-10.

8

Well, at work, we only refer to it as the Raptor, and we are the ones who build it.

I cant wait to see what they decide to call the JSF

9

Steve. I think ‘Steve’ would be a great name. Kind of informal, but with an undercurrent of menace.

I give you the F-24 (or whatever) - the F-24 Steve.