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The F-22 Raptor, the U.S. Air Force's hottest new jet fighter, is providing an economic boost to the state.

Contributions by Honeywell International's aerospace division to the program were showcased last week during a "Raptor Stealth Fighter Day" program at the company's manufacturing complex at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Employees, politicians and other guests were able to fly in an F-22 cockpit simulator provided by Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor on the $70 billion program.

About 70 Phoenix-area employees work on components for the Raptor — primarily the aircraft's environmental control system, which includes the on-board oxygen system and the auxiliary power unit, which provides power to the aircraft when it is on the ground.

The environmental control system also provides cooling for electronic and mechanical components that would otherwise heat up during flight, helping to extend the life of those parts, said Warren Nechtman, director of F-22 programs for Honeywell.

Valves for the environmental control system are manufactured at Honeywell's Tempe factory, 1300 W. Warner Road. Honeywell Aerospace also has about 750 full-time equivalent positions in its facility at 11100 N. Oracle Road in Oro Valley.

The program supports additional Phoenix-area jobs at subcontractors that make castings and other small components for the environmental system, he said.

With the F-22 expected to be in service for the next four decades, the program will provide continuing employment for support activities long after manufacturing is completed, Nechtman said.

"After-market support will be a critical part of our business with this aircraft," he said.

The Raptor adds stealth characteristics with the high performance of a conventional fighter jet. It also has more advanced sensors to identify enemy threats and greater range than the F-15 Eagle, the Air Force's current fighter that the F-22 is replacing, said Mark Dougherty, director of F-22 business development for Lockheed Martin.

It also can cruise at supersonic speed without kicking in its afterburner, which allows the Raptor to cover three times the ground using the same amount of fuel as the F-15, he said.

The combination of stealth and greater speed is the prime factor that gives the pilot an advantage in combat over conventional enemy aircraft, he said.

So far, 91 Raptors have been built, and 183 are planned, which will carry production to 2011 if all are funded, Dougherty said.

Final assembly takes place at a Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, Ga. More than 900 suppliers in 44 states contribute to the aircraft, supporting 40,000 jobs in total, he said.

Raptor squadrons have been deployed in Virginia and Alaska, and future squadrons are planned in New Mexico and Hawaii.

The Air Force originally hoped to build 750 of the jets, but escalating costs brought cutbacks. A defense authorization bill pending in Congress funds production of 20 of the aircraft in each of the next three years.