f 22 raptor

Be sure to check out our photo-gallery of the eye-popping Reventn, as well as a video from inside the cockpit.

OK, so even though there's still some secrecy surrounding the F-22 Raptor, it's safe to say that contrary to what we see in the new movie Transformers, it can't turn into a giant anthropomorphic robot capable of swinging between city buildings like a monkey, then switching back in mid-air into an advanced fighter jet. For the estimated $300 million-plus the U.S. Air Force is paying for the first round of Raptors, though, we sort of think it should. Clearly the moviemakers think highly of the Raptor: According to the Transformers Web site, the alien robot Starscream chooses to resemble the F-22 because it's the pinnacle of human technical achievement. And, you know, morphing into an iPhone wouldnt really be all that intimidating.—Gregory Mone

As we reported in july, the Air Force has been pondering a bomber version of the new F-22 Raptor fighter jet: a delta-wing variant called the FB-22. But budget cutbacks have grounded that plan. Top brass announced that the plane's name will be the F/A-22 Raptor-F/A, as in Fighter/Attack-but no new capabilities are being added. A decision by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to dramatically cut total plane orders, possibly to 200 from 400, is expected by year's end. Meanwhile, with his Raptor flock dwindling, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P.

Carmakers can learn a lot from designers of cutting-edge aircraft cockpits. It's all about human factors: keeping hands on the wheel, eyes on the road. Managing and monitoring too many systems places both pilot and mission at risk.