A design flaw has been discovered on the F-35, the jet’s fuel tanks could over-pressurize in certain flight profiles, Flight Global reports.
Photos: Lockheed Martin
The flaw was discovered in late 2014 during lightning protection qualification and validated in follow-on tests in 2015. The Joint Program Office quickly implemented precautionary flight limits on all three variants of the jets.
Fixing the flaw involves fitting new pressure relief valves to existing aircraft. Lockheed Martin already has a contract to implement the fix on the F-35B. Modification work to the F-35A will start soon. As for the F-35C, the company is putting together an engineering proposal.