F 22 Raptor grounded for life

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Adolf Desjardins

25 June, 2011

The most sophisticated aircraft in the world, the F 22 Raptor was grounded by the United States administration following an oxygen supply snag as reported by numerous pilots. The lack of oxygen has also led them to experience hypoxia.

FOLLOWING AN oxygen supply snag, the United States administration has grounded its entire fleet of the dreaded F 22 Raptors, indefinitely. The decision to make the radar evading aircrafts was announced on Friday in Washington. The aircrafts were banned from flying from May 3 and it is not certain when the fleet will make its comeback.

The issue was highlighted after several pilots complained about the failure of maintaining the oxygen pressure levels, once inside the cockpit. Officials apprised with the matter told a leading newswire service that the safety of our (the United States) airmen is paramount and the administration will take the necessary time to ensure that they perform a thorough investigation.

As per an aviation journal, one of F 22 aircrafts scuffed with tree tops and the pilot could not recall the incident, igniting the case of possible hypoxia, which occurs due to shortage of oxygen. However, the official spokeswoman Captain Jennifer Ferrau said that it is quite early to affirm that the problem occurred due to the onboard oxygen supply system called OBOGS. She further stated that the authorities are still working to identify the exact nature of the problem. It is premature to definitively link the current issues to the OBOGS system.

Playing smart with the usage of the F 22 Raptors, the aircrafts were not deputed in the NATO led air strikes in Libya. The F 22 Raptors also did not find a place for itself in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.