https://www.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/pho...F-0986R-288.jpg

On the tail of this F-22 there are the numbers 03(small) and 046 (large).

Does this mean the plane was built in calender 2003 or paid for in FY2003? Also, does the 046 indicate its serial/production number from the assembly line?

Thanks!

It means the funding line from congress to the USAF to the Contractor was in FY03. 046 is the number assigned by the USAF to denote sequence of production.

Thanks CH.