08 September 2022

Lockheed Martin working to lift delivery pause following discovery of Chinese material in F-35s

by Gareth Jennings

The line at Fort Worth will continue to build F-35s while Lockheed Martin and the US Department of Defense seek to resolve a non-compliance issue that has seen Chinese-sourced material end up in some aircraft. (Lockheed Martin)

Lockheed Martin is working with the US Department of Defense (DoD) to lift a delivery pause of F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) combat aircraft following the recent discovery of material from China.

A company spokesperson told Janes on 8 September that the DoD's decision the day before to halt new aircraft deliveries is not affecting production and/or acceptance testing at any of its three manufacturing facilities in the US, Italy, and Japan, and that it is working to resolve the non-compliantmagnet issue that has caused a temporary cessation of jets passing through the sell-off and delivery point.

“We are working with our partners and [the] DoD to ensure contractual compliance within the supply chain. The magnet has no visibility or access to any sensitive programme information. The F-35 remains safe for flight, and we are working with the DoD to resolve the issue as quickly as possible to resume deliveries,” the spokesperson said.

The DoD ordered the halt on new aircraft deliveries after it was discovered that Chinese-sourced alloys were present in magnets fitted to some aircraft. Janes understands that a new source of compliant material has been identified and is being procured to replace the non-compliant material.

Lockheed Martin is working with the US Department of Defense (DoD) to lift a delivery pause of F-35 ...

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