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Oxygen generating system phases out LOX

  • Published
  • By Tarsha Storey
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The remaining 60 Shaw F-16s who use liquid oxygen will be upgraded to using the Onboard Oxygen Generating system to provide oxygen for pilots while in-flight. When the upgrade project is completed, all Shaw F-16s will use the OBOG system.

Every F-16 in the Air Force requires some type of oxygen-providing system to keep pilots from blacking out. After 1997, all Air Force F-16s come factory equipped with a self-generating oxygen system, the OBOG system. Before 1997, all Air Force F-16s were factory equipped with a liquid oxygen system, said Master Sgt. David Burton, 20th Maintenance Group quality assurance inspector.

As part of the upgrade contract, 18 aircraft from McIntire Air National Guard Station will come to Shaw to receive the OBOG system, Sgt. Burton said.

“The OBOG system will save money and reduce the man-hours needed to maintain (the oxygen system) while on deployments, temporary duty assignments or on home station,” said Capt. Justin Barry, 20th Maintenance Operations Squadron maintenance officer.

When compared to LOX, the OBOG system is an improvement in several ways.

Both systems both provide oxygen, they just obtain it differently. Oxygen from LOX comes from an outside source, whereas oxygen from the OBOG system is continually replenishing, Sgt. Burton said.

Each time LOX is required for an aircraft, it must be filled from a cryogenic container because it must be stored at minus 297 degrees Fahrenheit. During a temporary duty assignment or deployment, there must be a way to refill the LOX container. If the Air Force is unable to set up a contract to obtain LOX in the deployed theater, they must deploy additional members and equipment to supply LOX and fulfill this mission requirement, Sgt. Burton said.

The OBOG system generates oxygen for the pilot and functions on the same principle as the jet’s propulsion system. During flight, the engine compresses the air it draws in. During compression, the OBOG system draws in a portion of the compressed air, extracts the pure oxygen and provides it to the pilot, said Capt. Barry.

In addition to being logistically friendly, Sgt. Burton said the OBOG system is also easier to maintain.

“The OBOG system is a time saver. If it breaks, you only have one or two components to fix,” Sgt. Burton said.

The new system is easier to transport because it is housed in the jet. LOX is housed independently and transporting it can be difficult. LOX must be properly cared for and vented while in transit to a different location. If it is not properly vented, the container can rupture — causing up to 50 gallons of freezing solution to leak out in the aircraft.

Because of safety procedures this rarely happens, but there is the risk. With the OBOG system, this risk is eliminated, Sgt. Burton said.