Lockheed Martin has not delivered a single fifth-generation F-35 Lightning fighter to customers since December 2022.
What is known
Pratt & Whitney in early January 2023officially announced the suspension of deliveries of F135 engines. The reason was an investigation that began after the crash of an F-35B fighter in Texas near the Lockheed Martin plant. Because of this, the United States and Israel stopped flights.
As it became known, the problems were related tomalfunction of the fuel supply system in the engine. Pratt & Whitney determined the failure was caused by vibration. This was announced by Vice President of the F135 program Jen Latka. She added that no problems were found with the quality of the fuel pipe.
Pratt & Whitney has prepared a temporarya short-term solution that will allow Lockheed Martin to resume fighter jet deliveries. It will make it possible to get rid of vibration in the engine. In addition, the company's development will be integrated into the production line.
By the end of 2022, nine F-35 Lightning II aircraft were waiting to be shipped to customers. In total, over the past year, the manufacturer handed over to customers 141 out of 148 fighters, i.e. failed to complete the plan.
Source: Defense News