Fixing F-22 Flaw to Cost 'only' $100 Million

Published: May 04, 2006
Source: www.military.com



Monday's report by Defense News, which said fixing the F-22's structural flaws would cost $1 billion has been denied by Air Force spokesman Doug Karas.

The Air Force expects to fix the problem at a cost of around 100 million dollars, and the flawed components, Karas said, "do not affect safety of flight and, consequently, no restrictions have been put on F-22 flight operations."

A Lockheed Martin spokesman, prime contractor for the F-22, said Monday the company is working closely with Air Force experts to determine the extent of the problem.

Titanium was not properly heat-treated and doesn't meet Air Force standards. This created weaknesses in structures that attach the wing and tail to the plane's fuselage. The flaws were discovered during a routine inspection in December, at around the same time the fighter was declared ready for combat.
continue..