Posted on Nov 15, 2016
Air Force mechanics fix a major issue with a $140 million F-22 for $250
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An F-22, the single most expensive fighter jet in the world, at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida suffered from an unusual and dangerous problem — compromised stealth.
To enemy radars the F-22 doesn't look like it's 62 feet long and 44 feet across, it looks like a marble.
The extreme stealth capabilities of the F-22 render it a "very low observable" aircraft, ideal for penetrating heavily defended enemy airspaces. Because of the technological breakthroughs in the F-22, the US Air Force can project power anywhere on earth.
So when a mechanical issue compromised the stealth of one F-22, it was a big problem. Luckily, the airmen present fixed the problem quickly and cheaply.
“During roll call, our expediter (an experienced crew chief responsible for coordinating required maintenance taskings) gave out the tasks for the day. My task was to figure out why we were having this re-occurring problem with one of the jets,” said Senior Airman Samuel Privett, a 23 year-old load crew member of the 43rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit, according to a US Air Force release.
To enemy radars the F-22 doesn't look like it's 62 feet long and 44 feet across, it looks like a marble.
The extreme stealth capabilities of the F-22 render it a "very low observable" aircraft, ideal for penetrating heavily defended enemy airspaces. Because of the technological breakthroughs in the F-22, the US Air Force can project power anywhere on earth.
So when a mechanical issue compromised the stealth of one F-22, it was a big problem. Luckily, the airmen present fixed the problem quickly and cheaply.
“During roll call, our expediter (an experienced crew chief responsible for coordinating required maintenance taskings) gave out the tasks for the day. My task was to figure out why we were having this re-occurring problem with one of the jets,” said Senior Airman Samuel Privett, a 23 year-old load crew member of the 43rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit, according to a US Air Force release.
Air Force mechanics fix a major issue with a $140 million F-22 for $250
Posted from businessinsider.comPosted in these groups: 
Mechanics
Mechanics
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 5
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL Okay, so fixed it cheaply but what did he do to fix it? This article left me hanging with questions.
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That is great news SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL. Thanks for sharing the news that USAF Senior Airman Samuel Privett [23 year-old load crew member of the 43rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit] fixed the mechanical problem which impacted the F-22's stealth capabilities quickly and cheaply.
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I was actually a Weapons Load Crew member on the F-22. I do wonder how much they actually went through to get this fix approved. Complying with technical orders is one of the biggest rules of working as a maintainer, it would be difficult to implement a fix if it broke away from technical data. (Operationally of course, it may not matter as much).
Surprisingly, I have an idea of what the problem was, but I am very curious to know what the fix is.
Surprisingly, I have an idea of what the problem was, but I am very curious to know what the fix is.
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Sgt Kelli Mays
SrA Edward Vong This article left me hanging because it did not state what the guy did to fix it...how did he do it...what did he do...Since I am not a mechanic and no nothing about fighter jets as you seem to know....I have no idea what this guy did to fix the problem so it leaves me haning.
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SSG Jessica Bautista
Sgt Kelli Mays - "Because the government closely protects the specifics of the F-22 program, the public can't know the exact issue with the F-22's stealth."
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