The F-22 Raptor, the newest aircraft in the U.S. Air Force arsenal, will be among the displays during the Dakota Thunder Open House and Air Show, set for May 30 and 31 at Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City, S.D.

The Raptor is aptly named. Its sleek, futuristic frame resembles that of an osprey, a falcon or a hawk. According to the Air Force, its newest fighter jet’s “combination of stealth, super cruise, maneuverability and integrated avionics represent an exponential leap in war-fighting capabilities.”

Also, the Raptor has been in the news a lot lately. At $140 million a pop, the F-22 is not cheap, and the Pentagon made the controversial decision recently to stop buying them. People in the Defense community have criticized the decision, arguing that the F-22 is America’s best hope for maintaining air superiority in combat.

Just 187 Raptors have been or will be built when the current procurement process runs its course in 2011. So the Raptor could be a rare bird indeed.

The air shows at Ellsworth give visitors a chance to see a wide variety of military aircraft — both in the air and on the ground.

The Thunderbirds, the Air Force’s precision acrobatic flying team, will be performing during Dakota Thunder. There will aslo be flying displays of the B-1B Lancer bomber, the planes that are stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base. Also scheduled is an air demonstration of the A-10 Thunderbolt.

“The public is welcome and encouraged to attend and see how by partnering together, our nation’s airpower is evolving,” Ellsworth officials said.

Dakota Thunder is free and open to the public. The gates will be open 8 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. both days. For more information, check out the Dakota Thunder website.