In late October 2011, the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, announced it had developed a small vibration damper that will greatly reduce repair costs for the Pratt & Whitney F119 engines in the F-22 Raptor. Called a snubber, the device prevents cracks in the J-seal in the F119 engine inlet case. Previously, if cracks were discovered, the engine would need to be pulled from the jet and the end of the crack drilled to stop propagation. The snubber fits in the gap opposite where the J-seal is welded to the inlet case. Seven snubbers are fit on each engine, meaning outfitting each F-22 costs only $245. Engines equipped with the snubbers entered service in April 2011.
