Maintenance shortfalls are continuing to plague the Lockheed Martin F-22A’s performance scores in operational evaluations. The Raptor’s follow-on test and evaluation period, which ended last November, resulted in a score of “mission capable”, a notch below the highest score of “fully mission capable”. The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center says the F-22A’s lower rating was attributed to “maintenance suitability issues”. Similar problems arose during an initial operational evaluation last year, but were intended to be corrected before the follow-on phase.
For exclusive news and expert analysis every week subscribe to Flight International print edition. Included with your subscription are 4 FREE issues and FREE delivery to your home or office.
Pictures: Pilot trapped for 5h in cockpit of USAF's new $135m F-22A Raptor after canopy jams
(25/04/06)
USAF hopes to extend Raptor line
(20/12/05)
Learn how to reach new customers through online advertising and email marketing, drive traffic through SEO and generate new leads online with Flightglobal's 'What Works Online' webinar series
Don’t miss you opportunity to be trained by the experts