$1M in F-22A damage blamed on faulty guidance

[unhappycamper]

$1M in F-22A damage blamed on faulty guidance
By Bruce Rolfsen - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Apr 1, 2008 6:44:44 EDT

What high-tech tools and instructions were F-22A maintainers given to detect loose stealth coatings on engine inlets?

A flashlight and instructions to tap the inlet with their fingers.

An Air Combat Command accident investigation board concluded that an F-22A taking off Nov. 1 from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., suffered more than $1 million in damage to its No. 2 engine after it sucked in a loose 6-by-8 inch section of the jet’s stealth coating.

The engine damage wasn’t noticed until after the F-22A from the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron landed following an otherwise uneventful training sortie, the report said.

The accident investigation board said the Air Force knew the type of coating used at the inlet had “poor” cohesive strength and could come loose. Later versions of the F-22A have an improved coating.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/03/airforce_f22_aib_nellis_033108/

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. the good news is that new military programs are

way over budget, and way behind their on their schedules.

$200 BILLION over budget.