US pauses F-35 jets after China-made engine part

September 08, 2022 09:23

The US Pentagon has stopped accepting new F-35 jets after it discovered a magnet used in the stealthy fighter's engine was made with unauthorized material from China.

The aircraft's maker, Lockheed Martin, found a part used in the jet's engine was made in China, the Defence Department and company confirmed on Wednesday (local time).

The Defence Contract Management Agency on August 19 notified the F-35 Joint Program Office that an alloy used in magnets in the F-35's turbomachine pumps was produced in China, office spokesperson Russell Goemaere said in a statement to The Hill.

The program office "temporarily paused the acceptance of new F-35 aircraft to ensure the F-35 program's compliance" with defence regulations "pertaining to specialty metals," Goemaere said.

Though Lockheed makes the aircraft, Honeywell produces the turbomachine.

In late August, Honeywell was notified by one of their third-tier suppliers for the turbomachine that they were using alloy sourced from China which was then magnetized in the United States, according to a statement from Lockheed, reported The Hill.

"Out of abundance of caution, there is a temporary pause on deliveries," the statement said, noting that the magnet does not provide any visibility or access to sensitive program information and there are no safety issues for F-35s currently in use.

The F-35 Joint Program Office also confirmed the part does not affect flight operations of the fifth-generation fighter jets already in service, reported The Hill. -- ANI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Maliwal case: CCTV digital video recorder seized from Kejriwal's home

They said the police team collected electronic devices including CCTV DVR to potentially get the footage of the alleged assault on Maliwal on May 13 when Bibhav Kumar, Kejriwal's close aide, allegedly attacked her at the CM's residence.

'RCB's dream run an inspiration for future teams'

RCB's turnaround will inspire other teams, says Dinesh Karthik

'Dhoni hasn't played his last IPL match'

Ambati Rayudu doesn't feel MS Dhoni has played his last match, puts ball in BCCI's court

Will jailed preacher Amritpal's Khadoor Sahib entry challenge SAD?

Amritpal Singh, the chief of the 'Waris Punjab De' outfit, who is lodged in Assam's Dibrugarh jail under the National Security Act, has thrown his hat into the ring as an Independent.

Rohit slams broadcasters for recording private talks

Rohit Sharma on Sunday lashed out at the IPL broadcasters for 'breaching' cricketers' privacy