Jane Edwards
Lockheed Martin has announced a temporary suspension of flight operations for 15 F-35A aircraft after an insulation issue was discovered on the coolant tube installed on the fighter jet’s wings.
The company said Friday the coolant tube insulation problem is a supply chain manufacturing defect that was discovered during depot maintenance and affects 13 F-35As of the U.S. Air Force and two fighter jets of Norway.
Lockheed noted the issue also affects 42 F-35As that are currently in the production phase and is traced to one of its suppliers.
The coolant tube is designed to carry a polymer called poly-alpha-olefin throughout the aircraft’s wings.
Aaron Mehta and Valerie Insinna also report for Defense News that Lockheed and the F-35 joint program office have conducted inspections in eight aircraft and started to work on a plan that aims to mitigate issues associated with the precautionary suspension of flight operations.
The service branch said in a news release that it expects to have the mitigation plan ready by early next week, according to the report.
