Air force 'snubs' F-22 engine cracks.

• Author: Beidel, Eric
• Position: Defense Technology Newswire

The Air Force has developed a small rubber plug that could shave $20 million from lifecycle costs over the course of the F-22 program.

The fighter aircraft is prone to cracks that develop in the J-seal, a metallic material on an inlet case that mates the engine to the airframe. The problem has led to additional inspections and costly repairs.

The Air Force Research Laboratory has designed and patented a "snubber" to act as a vibration damper and prevent cracks from developing in the engines. The product is made from a specialized silicone rubber. The same kind of damping materials are used in sporting equipment such as tennis rackets, golf clubs and baseball bats.

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When cracks...