F-22s Still Gasping For Breath

The Strategy Page ^ | 3./12/2012 | The Stategy Page

[U-238]

The U.S. Air Force is still having problems with the pilot's air supply in its F-22 fighters. Recently, there were three more cases of F-22 pilots apparently experiencing problems. The term "apparently" is appropriate because the pilots did not black out and a thorough check of the air supply system and the aircraft found nothing wrong. There have been nearly 30 of these "dizziness or disorientation" incidents in the last four years. That's about one incident per hundred sorties. Only one F-22 has been lost to an accident so far and, while that did involve an air supply issue, it was caused by pilot error, not equipment failure. Meanwhile the air force is spending $7 million to install commercial oxygen status sensors in the air supply systems of its F-22 fighters. This is part of a ten month effort to find out what's causing the air supply on F-22s to get contaminated and cause pilots to become disoriented or pass out. Twice in the past year the entire F-22 fleet was grounded because of the air supply problems. The first grounding lasted 140 days and ended last September. The second grounding lasted a week and ended four months ago. The 180 F-22s comprise the most powerful component of the air force's air combat capability and the brass are eager to find out what is wrong.

[Mariner]

For its primary air-to-air role, the F-22 carries six AIM-120D and two AIM-9 missiles. And the RADAR/Fire Control to back it up.

Six, 100+ mile range, fire and forget missiles and two short-range if they ever found themselves in a dog fight. Very unlikely.

Highest ceiling. Highest speed. Greatest range. Highest maneuverability. All US space sensors and AWACS fully integrated.

Yeah, 150 of them could easily take out 900 bandits with zero losses.