backseatjock
17th May 2012, 13:46
The Air Force isn't considering grounding the Lockheed Martin F-22 fighter for the second time in a year during an investigation into the cause of potential oxygen deprivation among pilots, the service's chief said to Bloomberg News.
''Based on what we know now, I would say no,'' Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz said today, without elaboration, after speaking at a Brookings Institution event in Washington.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has directed the Air Force to impose new safety measures on the F-22, including limiting flight durations and speeding the installation of back-up oxygen systems, the Pentagon announced yesterday.
The stealthy F-22 Raptor was grounded for four months last year as the Air Force sought to diagnose what was causing hypoxia.
''Based on what we know now, I would say no,'' Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz said today, without elaboration, after speaking at a Brookings Institution event in Washington.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has directed the Air Force to impose new safety measures on the F-22, including limiting flight durations and speeding the installation of back-up oxygen systems, the Pentagon announced yesterday.
The stealthy F-22 Raptor was grounded for four months last year as the Air Force sought to diagnose what was causing hypoxia.