Langley Officials Fight to Keep F-22s from Being Damaged

mpenguin1 · April 14th, 2008, 00:03

13 Apr 2008, 20:59

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va: The Air Force's newest and most technologically advanced fighter, the F-22 Raptor, is under attack here.

Free-falling clams dropped by in-flight birds are regular air threats to the F-22 as gulls drop fist-sized mollusks on the Langley Air Force Base runway to break open the shell-fish appetizer.

The birds' shelling device just happens to be a convenient launch pad for the F-22. Although the gulls remove half their mess -- slurping up tender meat from the runway -- they leave behind hard, brittle sea shells for an F-22 to suck up through its engine intake that can cause severe damage.

http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publ...d100015500.php

surreal1221 · April 14th, 2008, 00:39

Awe shucks. . .those TERRORISTS!

PGT · April 14th, 2008, 00:53

I don't see how the F-22 is more susceptible to this than F-15's and F-16's.

VATechPilot · April 14th, 2008, 01:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGT

I don't see how the F-22 is more susceptible to this than F-15's and F-16's.

Yeah that's a good point. Maybe they just care more about the F-22? I dunno.

aloft · April 14th, 2008, 01:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by surreal1221

Awe shucks. . .those TERRORISTS!

Shucking terrorists...lol

screennamie · April 14th, 2008, 03:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by VATechPilot

Yeah that's a good point. Maybe they just care more about the F-22? I dunno.

My guess would be the F22 cost a whole lot more. Just protecting their investments.

Firebird2XC · April 14th, 2008, 12:52

The really funny thing is that in Iraq, birds are the only real flying object that US military aircraft have to consider a serious threat.

I used to call the flocks of birds "The Terrorist Air Force"

"Bee One Arr Dees, flight of 30, 2 o'clock"

mpenguin1 · April 14th, 2008, 22:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by VATechPilot

Yeah that's a good point. Maybe they just care more about the F-22? I dunno.

The F-22 has stealth ability, so, anything that scratches or niches the surface could show up on radar? I am taking a guess here......

Or, maybe the F-22 is a cooler looking jet with an even cooler name.

Firebird2XC · April 15th, 2008, 00:07

I think the Air Force is just trying to 'butch up' a little.

Of course, if this is their version of 'getting shelled by the enemy' they're not trying hard enough.

aloft · April 15th, 2008, 00:31

It's all about FOD avoidance...the engines in the F-22 are much more expensive than those used by the F-16 or F-15.

bravodelta79 · April 16th, 2008, 14:37

Want to see how expensive an engine ingestion can be?

Read (and weep)...

http://www.wvec.com/news/topstories/....4e6c2609.html

PGT · April 17th, 2008, 00:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by bravodelta79

Want to see how expensive an engine ingestion can be?

Read (and weep)...

http://www.wvec.com/news/topstories/....4e6c2609.html

well you gotta pay good $$ to have the fanciest and coolest toy

April 14th, 2008, 00:03	#1
mpenguin1 Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 9,868 Blog Entries: 5	Langley Officials Fight to Keep F-22s from Being Damaged 13 Apr 2008, 20:59 LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va: The Air Force's newest and most technologically advanced fighter, the F-22 Raptor, is under attack here. Free-falling clams dropped by in-flight birds are regular air threats to the F-22 as gulls drop fist-sized mollusks on the Langley Air Force Base runway to break open the shell-fish appetizer. The birds' shelling device just happens to be a convenient launch pad for the F-22. Although the gulls remove half their mess -- slurping up tender meat from the runway -- they leave behind hard, brittle sea shells for an F-22 to suck up through its engine intake that can cause severe damage. http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publ...d100015500.php __________________ To see a world in a grain of sand And Heaven in a wild flower Hold infinity in the palm of your hand And Eternity in a hour. -William Blake

April 14th, 2008, 00:39	#2
surreal1221 Old Skool Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Alpha Tango Lima Posts: 8,655	Re: Langley Officials Fight to Keep F-22s from Being Damaged Awe shucks. . .those TERRORISTS! __________________ AGI.MEI.CFI.CFII.FO.CRJ2 \| Josh \|The TRoP \| Ramble On \|ALPA \| Your DD-214 is where?

April 14th, 2008, 00:53	#3
PGT Old Skool Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: DSM Posts: 2,950	Re: Langley Officials Fight to Keep F-22s from Being Damaged I don't see how the F-22 is more susceptible to this than F-15's and F-16's.

April 14th, 2008, 12:52	#7
Firebird2XC Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Big D Posts: 1,322	Re: Langley Officials Fight to Keep F-22s from Being Damaged The really funny thing is that in Iraq, birds are the only real flying object that US military aircraft have to consider a serious threat. I used to call the flocks of birds "The Terrorist Air Force" "Bee One Arr Dees, flight of 30, 2 o'clock" __________________ “The conduct of TSA was cruel and unnecessary,” said Ms Allred. “The last time that I checked a nipple was not a dangerous weapon.” - Charlie (credentials in profile)

April 15th, 2008, 00:07	#9
Firebird2XC Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Big D Posts: 1,322	Re: Langley Officials Fight to Keep F-22s from Being Damaged I think the Air Force is just trying to 'butch up' a little. Of course, if this is their version of 'getting shelled by the enemy' they're not trying hard enough. __________________ “The conduct of TSA was cruel and unnecessary,” said Ms Allred. “The last time that I checked a nipple was not a dangerous weapon.” - Charlie (credentials in profile)

April 15th, 2008, 00:31	#10
aloft Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Inside your OODA loop Posts: 6,723	Re: Langley Officials Fight to Keep F-22s from Being Damaged It's all about FOD avoidance...the engines in the F-22 are much more expensive than those used by the F-16 or F-15. __________________ Commercial Pilot, ASEL/AMEL/IA Chief Pilot, aerial mapping company Mountain-qualified Search & Rescue/Disaster Relief Mission Pilot, Civil Air Patrol 850+ TT/25 ME B.S., Psychology, University of Utah

April 16th, 2008, 14:37	#11
bravodelta79 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 106	Re: Langley Officials Fight to Keep F-22s from Being Damaged Want to see how expensive an engine ingestion can be? Read (and weep)... http://www.wvec.com/news/topstories/....4e6c2609.html

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