{"id":25197,"date":"2018-10-25T18:20:43","date_gmt":"2018-10-25T18:20:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2018\/10\/25\/some-f-35s-grounded-again-for-new-round-of-inspections\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T06:12:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T06:12:48","slug":"some-f-35s-grounded-again-for-new-round-of-inspections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/air\/2018\/10\/25\/some-f-35s-grounded-again-for-new-round-of-inspections\/","title":{"rendered":"Some F-35s grounded again for new round of inspections"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 The F-35 Joint Program Office temporarily has halted flight operations for a number of F-35s with higher flight hours after finding two new parts that will require inspection on older models of the jets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A spokesman for the F-35 JPO, who confirmed the issue exclusively to Defense News and Marine Corps Times, declined to detail 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe joint government and industry technical team has completed their assessment of the fuel supply tubes within the Pratt & Whitney engine on F-35 aircraft,\u201d the F-35 Joint Program Office announced in a statement. \u201cIn addition to the previously identified failed tube, the analysis has identified two additional fuel supply tubes that require inspection.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the older engines with higher flight hours may require additional fuel tube replacements.<\/p>\n\n\n\t