Pentagon Again Grounds Some F-35s Over New Fuel Tube Fault

The U.S. military has grounded roughly 24 F-35 joint strike fighters with higher flight hours, citing new fuel system inspections needed after the entire fleet was grounded earlier this month.

The F-35 Joint Program Office said on Thursday that it found two new parts needing inspection on older models of the fifth-generation jet. The Pentagon in early October grounded all versions of the Lockheed Martin-made aircraft to examine the fuel tubes within the engines, made separately by Pratt & Whitney.

“The joint government and industry technical team has completed their assessment of the fuel supply tubes within the Pratt & Whitney engine on F-35 aircraft,” the office said in a statement.

“In addition to the previously identified failed tube, the analysis has identified two additional fuel supply tubes that require inspection.”

The F-35 JPO declined to say how many jets are grounded. (end of excerpt)

Click here for the full story, on The Hill website.

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