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Deliveries of Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors to the US Air Force have been suspended, reports the USAF Times. The aircraft has been grounded since May 3 due to suspected problems with the oxygen generator, with all flight activities banned until the issue is rectified.

Lockheed Martin is nearing the end of production of the 187 aircraft ordered but is unable to do required flight testing for each aircraft as it leaves final assembly at the Marietta plant in Georgia. “Our final assembly is scheduled through to December,” said Lockheed spokeswoman Stephanie Stinn. “We delivered aircraft 4181 on June 22,” currently the latest airframe to be handed over to the US Air Force,

Two more aircraft, 4182 and 4183, have been finished except for flight testing. Delivery is suspended until the jet regains its operational clearance. The investigation into the oxygen generator began in January also includes other types such as the A-10, F-15E, F-16, F-35 and T-6, but only the F-22 is affected by a ‘no-fly’ ruling. The only F-22 flights allowed are by test pilots at Edwards Air Force Base in California who are part of the investigation effort.

“Pilots and ground crew continue to train in simulators and perform ground tasks to stay as proficient as possible,” added USAF spokeswoman Captain Jennifer Ferrau. “Once the aircraft are cleared to fly again, there will be a period where the pilots will need in-flight training to become fully proficient on the aspects of flying that simulators cannot replicate,” she added.