F-22 Raptors at Langley Grounded After Oxygen Problem

FoxNews.com ^ | October 21, 2011 | Jennifer Griffin

[NYFreeper]

All F-22 Raptors at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia have been grounded after a pilot experienced loss of oxygen while flying.

Air Force officials are meeting on Friday to determine whether it is necessary to extend the grounding to the rest of the F-22 fleet. The pilot experienced what is known as "hypoxia," and had to return to base.

America's premier fighter jet has experienced similar problems in the past, though it is not clear what is causing the problem. The Air Force last month brought the jets back into service after a grounding months earlier over oxygen issues.

[NYFreeper]

Man, can't they get this straight yet? This ain't rocket science. On board oxygen systems have been on aircraft since before WWII. If the oxygen generation system is this problematic, they need to go back to LOX. We can't afford to have our primer fighter aircraft grounded any longer.

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

We can't afford to have our primer fighter aircraft grounded any longer.

Why not?

What imminent threat is America facing that the F-15/F-16/F-18 currently in use can't handle?

[NYFreeper]

What imminent threat is America facing that the F-15/F-16/F-18 currently in use can't handle?

Our pilots are not getting the training they need. The Russians are already producing and exporting equivalent aircraft. Most people thought the same way about immediate threats back before August 1990.

[org.whodat]

Take the pilots seat out remove the oxygen system, stick in a computer, end of problem.

[twister881]

Here's a good article from Aviation Week about the problem with Onboard oxygen generation systems (Obogs) for both the F-22 and the F/A-18:

Aviation Week

Lots of (sometimes unreliable) science and engineering using filtered engine bleed air to generate concentrated O2. Saves weight & volume in the aircraft, liquid oxygen (LOX) equipment and maintenance personnel at the base or aboard ship, and the associated danger. That said, I was an F-14 guy and LOX only...I'll stick with what works.

[NYFreeper]

Were not there yet. Although, the F-35 may very well be the last manned fighter jet.

[Jet Jaguar]

Here we go again.

[Jet Jaguar]

OBOGS on the F-16 is no problem.

What’s up?

[Mr. Jeeves]

Take the pilots seat out remove the oxygen system, stick in a computer, end of problem.

Yes, but that would just prove that the problem could have been solved with a much smaller and cheaper unmanned aircraft - and the Defense Establishment won't tolerate that becoming known.

[NYFreeper]

What’s up?

Good question. Didn't know that the F-16 had OBOGS, thought it used LOX. Maybe they should use the F-16 system.

[Jet Jaguar]

We did use LOX forever. Recent, 2 years ago, OBOGS installed. No issues.

[Montanabound]

Wasn’t Barry just at Langley? He brings a dark cloud with him wherever he goes.

[RedMDer]

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