{"id":45805,"date":"2023-10-02T22:01:37","date_gmt":"2023-10-02T22:01:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/10\/02\/navy-assembles-f-35b-clutch-for-first-time\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:48:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:48:02","slug":"navy-assembles-f-35b-clutch-for-first-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2023\/10\/02\/navy-assembles-f-35b-clutch-for-first-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Navy assembles F-35B clutch for first time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Navy\u2019s Fleet Readiness Center East successfully assembled the lift fan clutch for the F-35B Lightning II aircraft for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assembling the clutch without the part\u2019s original manufacturer is critical to accommodate F-35 maintenance and repair as more enter service, according to the Navy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The F-35B is the variant of the fighter jet the Marine Corps employs<\/a>, as well as the United Kingdom and Italy. The aircraft can conduct short take-offs and vertical landings on amphibious ships, aircraft carriers and expeditionary airfields \u2014 thanks to the aircraft\u2019s lift system that includes the clutch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe F-35B\u2019s short take-off and vertical landing abilities offer the Fleet critical capabilities that cannot be duplicated by any other aircraft,\u201d Capt. James M. Belmont, the readiness center\u2019s commanding officer, said in a Sept. 28 Navy news release. \u201cThe lift fan clutch is a vital part of the aircraft\u2019s lift system. Standing up this capability allows us to provide support for the F-35B that\u2019s not available anywhere else in DoD.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FRCE is based out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542, also based out of Cherry Point, received its first F-35 aircraft in May<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEven though it seems as if the F-35 has been around for a while, it\u2019s still very new,\u201d said Fred LeBrun, the readiness center\u2019s F-35 capability establishment lead, said in the release. \u201cIt\u2019s still ramping up. Flight hours are increasing. More countries are buying them. This multiplication effect places increased demands on the supply system for components.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a key part of the lift system, so this is going to be critical for the depot to have this capability,\u201d LeBrun said.<\/p>\n\n\n\t