F-22 Resumes Operations after Four-month Grounding
The U.S.
U.S. Air Force leadership approved an implementation plan allowing the F-22 to resume flight operations. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)
U.S. Air Force leadership approved an implementation plan allowing the F-22 to resume flight operations. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)

The U.S. Air Force approved a resumption of flight operations by the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, ending a four-month standdown ordered after pilots experienced symptoms of hypoxia. The suspected source of the problem, the aircraft’s onboard oxygen generation system (Obogs), remains under study.

Each of the 170 F-22s will undergo inspection of the aircraft’s life support systems before returning to flight, with follow-on daily inspections, the Air Force said. Before the standdown May 3, the fleet was already restricted to flying below 25,000 feet. Aircraft are now authorized to fly above 50,000 feet. Pilots will use additional protective equipment and undergo baseline physiological tests, the service said.