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Report: F-22 Oxygen Problems Much Worse Than First Thought

Updated: Fri 10:26 AM, Jun 15, 2012

Two members of congress say new information provided by the Air Force shows an oxygen-deficit problem on F-22 fighter jets is worse than previously disclosed.

During a teleconference Thursday, Rep. Adam Kinzinger and Sen. Mark Warner said the Air Force needs to "come to grips" with the F-22 Raptor's oxygen issue. There's been an unacceptably high number of hypoxia-like incidents affecting F-22 pilots, more than 10 times that of any other Air Force aircraft.

There's also a new theory that could explain the breathing problems. Apparently the Navy Experimental Dive Unit here at Naval Support Activity Panama City found a high failure rate with an upper pressure vest. Its part of the survival gear F-22 pilots wear.

That prompted Air Combat Command to order all training pilots this week to stop wearing the vests.

The Air Force grounded the entire F-22 fleet for 4-months last year because of the oxygen. Tyndall Air Force Base is the only training base for Raptor pilots. The base is also slated to receive an operational squadron of F-22's next year.

Kinzinger and Warner said they will continue pressing the Air Force to correct the problem.


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