WTF22? Grounded again

[ruthabagah]

I understand that the f22 is a highly complex system but.... how hard is it to fix the Aviation Oxygen Breathing System? Something that have been around since WW2?

I guess good old F15 is going to soldier on for a long time.....

http://hamptonroads.com/2012/05/pentagon-restricts-f22-flights-safety-concern

[Ronin13]

I actually asked a family friend, a retired 2 star AF General "Why are they replacing the F15 if we've never lost one in combat?"
"Because the Pentagon is run by morons. They never had a father like mine who said 'If it ain't broke, don't throw it away and replace it with something that does the exact same thing but with more useless technology.'"

I like the F15, I think it's served well and can continue to serve until there actually is a threat to our pilots. [Beer]

[Hoser]

Oxygen systems are a complicated animal.

The F-22 is a new type of system. There are a bunch of bugs to work out.

F-15s are old and tired. Very expensive to keep flying. They break a lot.

[wyome]

We're gettin the f-22 cuz other nations are developing fighters that would equal or better the f-15/16.
Better to stay ahead on development on weapons systems that take more than a decade to design, and another decade to test, produce, train and integrate into tactics plans.

And yeah the pentagon is run by morons and influenced by congress...more morons.

[68Charger]

Some of the f-15s are broken at any given time... :-)

Not saying the F-22 is flawless, or anything resembling cost effective... But have you seen it's record against F-15s in simulated combat?

When it works, it will kill before the enemy even knows they are in danger...

[Bailey Guns]

The F-15 went through some pretty serious "teething" problems as well with the stabilators and the computer controlled inlets. Also, the F100 engines proved to be problematic for a long time.

In 2007 a crash led to the discovery of a structural defect in the old airframes. Despite the record of the F-15 they're getting old and it's just not cost-effective to keep them flying much longer.

The F-22 will experience problems. All new aircraft do. They'll be fixed and the F-22 will be the premier fighter for the foreseeable future.

[stevelkinevil]

I thought I read that the F22 was cut from the budget and what we have now is what we will have. I was under the impression it was being replaced by the JSF.

[sniper7]

ALL airplanes have problems when they first start out. It doesn't matter if they are gliders or stealth fighters. Hopefully they figure out a resolution quickly that will keep our airmen safe.

or turn the damn thing into a drone and let me fly it[Tooth]

[Danceswithwires]

I was reading an article last week that said the flight techs? that worked on the F22 were getting sick too, that it may not be the oxygen system, I'll see if I can find it

[68Charger]

I thought I read that the F22 was cut from the budget and what we have now is what we will have. I was under the impression it was being replaced by the JSF.


uuh, no... True, they cut the budget, reduced the # of F-22's they were going to buy. The F-22 is stealth, a different role than the JSF. The JSF is also shared technology with allies- but the F-22's full capabilities are classified. I've read up on the oxygen system- there are similar/same systems on some other aircraft. There are some odd things going on- toxins found in the blood of pilots, particularly when they're started indoors (in cold weather environments like Alaska)

Think of it as a stealthy F-15... that can do supersonic without afterburners (so it's more fuel-efficient and stealthy when supersonic) It's designed to not only be stealthy to radar, but it's IR signature as well.

no, I'm not privy to any classified info, I'm just a tech nut that has had a bit of a fascination with the F-22 since it was born

[zteknik]

Reminds me of the BlackHawks and Ospreys-They use to be grounded every other month!!

[Jer]

Oxygen systems are a complicated animal.

The F-22 is a new type of system. There are a bunch of bugs to work out.

F-15s are old and tired. Very expensive to keep flying. They break a lot.

More expensive compared to... ?? Surely not the price tag of a new F-22 Raptor.

[airborneranger]

This is the absolute best concerning the F22 and the oxygen system. This pilot died when his system failed:


After a lengthy investigation, an Air Force Accident Investigation Board could not find the cause of the malfunction but determined "by clear and convincing evidence" that in addition to other factors, Haney was to blame for the crash because he was too distracted by his inability to breathe to fly the plane properly.

[Jer]

This is the absolute best concerning the F22 and the oxygen system. This pilot died when his system failed:


After a lengthy investigation, an Air Force Accident Investigation Board could not find the cause of the malfunction but determined "by clear and convincing evidence" that in addition to other factors, Haney was to blame for the crash because he was too distracted by his inability to breathe to fly the plane properly.

Man, if I'm that Soldier's family I'm not very happy w/the explanation of the causation of the accident. Yeah, dying from lack of oxygen tends to be distracting alright. [Rant1] How 'bout just saying that the accident was caused by a failure of the human life support system required for life which then caused the accident. The way they word that they make it sound like the pilot was at fault and could have prevented the accident. For cripes sake!