The most sophisticated, technologically advanced fighting machine in U.S. Air Force history is under renewed scrutiny following a network whistleblower report.
Air Combat Command in Langley, Va., said Monday they were inundated with requests for a response regarding the two pilots from the Virginia Air National Guard who said in a report Sunday on CBS’ “60 Minutes” that they do not feel safe flying the F-22 Raptor — and that they were not alone.
F-22 Raptor pilots Jeremy Gordon and Josh Wilson said they came forward for the safety of all pilots involved. They said they loved flying the F-22 but had experienced hypoxia, which investigators said could stem from a malfunctioning onboard oxygen system. The problems grounded the F-22 for months, including at Tyndall Air Force Base, where F-22 pilots train/.../
Barry D. Watts, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, concentrates on net assessments, airpower, and the emergence of guided munitions, transformation and the military use of space.
He said he “would have to side with the pilots” and agreed the problem with the F-22 is too big to ignore. He said the problems with the F-22 are different than they were for the F-4 or F-16. Pilots could be trained to deal with the G-force levels with the F-16 or handling issues of the F-4.
“This is a whole different kind of problem,” Watts said. “We just lived with the other problems. I don’t think you can just live with this” oxygen problem.