The Air Force has released a statement declaring that the problem that prompted the service to interrupt the deployment of 12 F-22A Raptors to the Japanese island of Okinawa last week should be fixed “within the next several days.” A 13th Air Force spokesman told Daily Report on Monday that multiple aircraft in the flight from Hickam AFB, Hawaii, had experienced a navigational software glitch, prompting their return to Hickam. In a Feb. 14 statement, Lt. Gen. Loyd Utterback, 13th AF commander, calls the problem “a minor issue.” He said safety concerns always take precedence.
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.