Kenyan Engineer Accuses UK of Stealing His Military Plane Invention
Kenyan mechanical and materials engineer Sammy Onyango has made a controversial claim regarding the alleged theft of his groundbreaking military invention which he asserts led to his deportation from the United Kingdom.
In an interview, Onyango shares his account of developing a crucial component for the Onboard Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS), which had significant implications for both military and commercial aviation. Onyango's story is set against the backdrop of Operation Desert Storm, also known as the Gulf War, which began on January 16, 1991. This conflict arose in response to Iraq's invasion and seizure of Kuwait five months earlier. A massive US-led coalition force launched an extensive air and ground campaign against Iraqi forces in Kuwait and Iraq, aiming to expel them from Kuwaiti territory.
According to Onyango, during the Gulf War, British Tornado jets faced a significant challenge in their bombing missions. The laser-guided missiles they carried required extremely cold liquid oxygen to maintain accuracy. The jets' oxygen supply, stored in cylinders, would often run out, necessitating mission aborts and resupply, making the operations both cumbersome and costly. To address this issue, Doughty Weapons Systems of England proposed the OBOGS. However, the inherent flammability of oxygen posed a serious safety concern in aviation contexts. As authorities sought a solution, Doughty and NASA approached Onyango's university for assistance.
Onyango claims that in 1991, he developed a unique material for constructing the pump that generates pure oxygen onboard both commercial and military aircraft. His invention allegedly played a crucial role in resolving the oxygen supply problem, significantly enhancing mission efficiency and reducing operational costs. Despite the apparent significance of his contribution, Onyango alleges that he was pressured to remain in the UK. Upon refusing, he claims he was deported back to Kenya, with his invention allegedly appropriated without proper acknowledgement or compensation.