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Air Force nearing answers on F-22 oxygen issue
Source: Reuters
Air Force nearing answers on F-22 oxygen issue
By Andrea Shalal-Esa
WASHINGTON | Fri Jun 15, 2012 12:31am EDT
(Reuters) - The Air Force is close to understanding what is causing some F-22 fighter pilots to get dizzy and disoriented when flying the most advanced U.S. warplane, and could resume normal operations later this year, a top general said on Thursday.
Air Force Major General Charles Lyon said he was "cautiously optimistic" that an ongoing investigation had identified the major factors causing symptoms of oxygen deprivation among some pilots of the F-22, built by Lockheed Martin Corp..
Those factors include the size of hoses that deliver oxygen to the F-22 pilots, connectors between equipment, and a pressure vest that is meant to keep pilots safe at high altitude, especially when worn with other heavy clothing.
Lyon said the Air Force had nearly ruled out the idea that some contaminant was getting into the aircraft's oxygen system, and in April it had stopped requiring pilots to use a chemical warfare filter after realizing it made it harder for them to breathe.
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By Andrea Shalal-Esa
WASHINGTON | Fri Jun 15, 2012 12:31am EDT
(Reuters) - The Air Force is close to understanding what is causing some F-22 fighter pilots to get dizzy and disoriented when flying the most advanced U.S. warplane, and could resume normal operations later this year, a top general said on Thursday.
Air Force Major General Charles Lyon said he was "cautiously optimistic" that an ongoing investigation had identified the major factors causing symptoms of oxygen deprivation among some pilots of the F-22, built by Lockheed Martin Corp..
Those factors include the size of hoses that deliver oxygen to the F-22 pilots, connectors between equipment, and a pressure vest that is meant to keep pilots safe at high altitude, especially when worn with other heavy clothing.
Lyon said the Air Force had nearly ruled out the idea that some contaminant was getting into the aircraft's oxygen system, and in April it had stopped requiring pilots to use a chemical warfare filter after realizing it made it harder for them to breathe.
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/15/us-lockheed-fighter-f-idUSBRE85E05Q20120615
