U.S. Air Force develops solution for F-22 weapon issue

TYNDALL, Fla., Nov. 15 (UPI) -- A U.S. Air Force maintenance team has developed a solution for a re-occurring problem with the weapon systems used by an F-22 Raptor aircraft.

The branch did not release specific details regarding the problem or the solution, but did disclose that the issue affected in-flight operations including radar functions and low observability capabilities. Allowing these problems to persist would have potentially allowed enemy aircraft to pick up the jet's position more easily.

It took two days for a team of Airmen to find a resolution.

"We have a fabrication machine in the shop that allowed us to create what we needed. We were able to fix the problem ourselves without having to send the jet off to the depot for maintenance," Senior Airman Samuel Privett explained in a press release.

The Air Force says the in-house maintenance operation cost the branch only $250, whereas replacing the entire affected system would have cost between $40,000 and $50,000. After repairs were complete, the aircraft was able to return to its normal operations with student pilots.

The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is a single-seat, twin engine stealth tactical fighter operated exclusively by the U.S. Air Force. The craft was designed to be an air superiority fighter, but also sports ground attack and electronic warfare capabilities.