"You're Grounded!": Back in 2018, the Marines Put F-35 Flights on Hold Again.

Dario Leone

Technology, Americas

More tech, more problems.

Some of the older engines with higher flight hours may require additional fuel tube replacements.

F-35Bs with higher flight hours have been temporarily by F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) after that two new parts that will require inspection were found on older models of the jets.

As reported by Marine Corps Times, a spokesman for the F-35 JPO did not disclose exactly how many jets may possibly be grounded as a result of the inspections. However, one source close to the program said that only a couple dozen F-35Bs meet the criteria where an operational pause would be necessary.

(Note: This first appeared in 2018.)

“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 F-35 Joint Program Office announced in a statement. “In addition to the previously identified failed tube, the analysis has identified two additional fuel supply tubes that require inspection.”

Some of the older engines with higher flight hours may require additional fuel tube replacements.

“While the two additional fuel tubes have not failed, engineering data collected during the ongoing investigation established the requirement for a time-phased inspection based on engine flight hours,” the JPO said in an emailed statement. “The procedure to inspect and replace can be done by flightline maintenance without removing the engine.”

The JPO also added that F-35s that have not reached the “inspection requirements” are continuing normal flight operations.