According to the channel, the F-35 Joint Program Office learned at the end of August that one of the metals used in one of the magnetic components of the F-35 fighter jet was manufactured in China, potentially violating an order banning unauthorized aircraft. The use of minerals from China by the US Department of Defense for the Department’s equipment.
The Pentagon said it has temporarily halted deliveries of Lockheed Martin Corp’s F-35s after learning that a Chinese-made alloy was in a component of the stealth fighter jet, in violation of federal defense acquisition rules. https://t.co/80XtS9VCj9
—CNN (@CNN) September 8, 2022
The magnet is located in the aircraft’s turbo pump, helping to start the engine.
The Joint Program Office also confirmed that the magnet does not transmit any information and does not damage any part of the aircraft, so F-35s currently in service will continue to operate.
During the pause, the Pentagon is working to determine if there has been a violation of the law due to the use of the metal component. If inspection reveals that the metal does not meet the requirements, the Pentagon can apply for a national security exemption, allowing it to continue to be used in the F-35.
A spokesperson for Lockheed Martin, maker of the F-35, said the pause only affects three aircraft currently ready for delivery.
The F-35 will continue to be produced at the company’s factories in Fort Worth, Italy, and Japan.
“We work with our partners and the Department of Defense to ensure contract compliance throughout the supply chainLockheed Martin spokeswoman Laura Seibert said in a statement.
“Magnets cannot access any sensitive software information. F-35s can still fly safely. We are working with the Department of Defense to resolve the issue as quickly as possible so deliveries can continueadded the speaker.
An investigation is underway into how the Chinese metal got into parts of the fighter jets, Russell Gummery, a spokesman for the Office of Joint Programs, said in a statement to CBS News.
The company producing the magnets found a replacement metal, so new machines were already made with this part
The news channel indicated.
Featured Image: A photo released by the South Korean Ministry of Defense of F-35 fighter-bomber jets at an undisclosed air base in South Korea on March 25, 2022. (Photo: MTI/EPA/Yonhap)
