Aircraft

USAF F-22 Raptors start first tour of duty overseas as Japan deployment starts one week late after software glitch delays

By Justin Wastnage

The US Air Force was able to dispatch the first two Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors to Japan yesterday, after the aircraft were returned to the USA due to faulty navigational software last week.

The first two F-22As arrived at Kadena AB, Japan from Hickham AFB in Hawaii, today for the aircraft's first overseas deployment.  The USAF says the remaining aircraft will follow.

A software glitch affecting the Raptors' navigation system was discovered while the aircraft were en route to Kadena on 10 February, which delayed the arrival for almost a week.  The flight control system was updated and the aircraft underwent flight testing before departing Hickham.

The USAF is deploying 12 F-22A Raptors and more than 250 personnel from the 27th Fighter Squadron to Kadena as part of a regularly-scheduled US Pacific Command rotational assignment of aircraft to the Pacific, the air force continues.