Strategy Page has the details:
For the second time this year, the U.S. Air Force has grounded all its F-22 fighters. Same reason, problems with the pilot’s oxygen supply. This time, a pilot experienced loss of oxygen during flight. He was able to land safely, but this reoccurrence of the oxygen led to the prompt grounding of all 170 F-22s until the problem could be fixed. At the moment, F-22s comprise the most powerful component of the air force’s air combat capability.
It was only on September 21st that the air force allowed its F-22 fighters to fly again. The aircraft had been grounded for 140 days because of problems with the oxygen system. The air force is not giving out many details on exactly what the problems is, although they say a report on the F-22 oxygen system will be out by the end of the year. It has been mentioned that there appeared to be a problem with two much nitrogen getting into the pilot’s air, and that an additional filter was added to the oxygen system to help keep potential contaminants out.
I hope the Air Force kept the receipt: we clearly need to return the F22 to the store.
Comment by Brian Dunbar — October 25, 2011 @ 17:55
[…] US Air Force grounds the F-22 fleet (again). I sure hope the Air Force kept the receipt for the F22. I want cash back, not store credit. […]
Pingback by Tab Clearing | The Daily Brief — October 26, 2011 @ 00:03