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Yesterday, it was how the F-35 is a terrible platform. Now, its the F-22. What the heck has happened to manned military aviation?

The F-35...I have a lot of doubts about it - I think they are trying to do too much with it and I think the costs are creeping far too high - we are truly headed towards the day we can buy only one plane, and the Air Force gets to fly it Monday-Wednesday, the Navy Thursday through Saturday, and the Marines on Sunday, but that's for another thread.

In general, the systems are getting more and more complex. I heard about this F-22 problem a while back through friends, but it was very hush-hush, and the AF was trying to work out the oxygen problems with some contractors without it getting out into the media. It was known within the AF community, but just not really public.

I'm very surprised that the AF would publicly admit it is having problems. I'm more surprised that it's still a problem at this point. While it's a very complex aircraft, they didn't exactly have to reinvent the oxygen/life support system. This is like the Army buying a $5 million vehicle and having tire problems a few years after it's in the field.

For those bashing the pilots, I don't think folks realize that for pilots to risk their careers over this, it must be pretty bad. If they ruin their careers over this, they can't just waltz into a cushy civilian job.