Friday, September 28, 2012

F-22 Oxygen Problems Were Known Years Ago

Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor. Wikipedia

Air Force Group Warned Of Stealth Jet’s Oxygen Woes Years Ago -- Danger Room

Years before the Air Force faced a crisis with the oxygen systems on its premier stealth jet, a group of Air Force officers warned that the expensive F-22 Raptor could choke its pilots. Yet the Air Force, in the name of saving money, let the problem fester.

As far back as 2005, a group of Air Force technical experts calling themselves the RAW-G, for Raptor Aeromedical Working Group, warned that the oxygen system on the F-22 needed an upgrade. The current system has “been known to cause problems with delayed ear blocks and acceleration atelectasis,” which is the technical term for what pilots came to call “Raptor Cough.” They pushed for a digital controller to regulate the flow of oxygen into what’s called OBOGS, for On-Board Oxygen Generation System, and an accompanying software upgrade, according to a blockbuster Associated Press report.

Read more ....

More News On The Air Force Being Warned About The F-22's Oxygen Woes Years Ago

Air Force insiders foresaw F-22 woes -- AP
US Air Force insiders foresaw F-22 Raptor woes -- Economic Times
US Air Force knew of crippling F-22 flaws for a decade -- RT
It just makes you want to scream -- Delaware Defense

No comments: