Pentagon allows Lockheed Martin to resume deliveries of F-35 Lightning II fighters

The U.S. Department of Defense has authorized Lockheed Martin to continue supplying the fifth generation fighters F-35 Lightning II. This was reported by one of the senator's aides to Defense News. In addition, this information was confirmed by Politico.

Here's What We Know

In early September, the Pentagon was forced to suspend shipments of aircraft due to the discovery of a Chinese alloy in the pump magnets. It did not comply with defense regulations for special metals. In connection with this, the agency decided to temporarily halt deliveries of F-35 Lightning II. At the same time there was no need to ground the fighters, because the magnets do not transmit data and do not cause physical damage to the aircraft.

About two weeks later it became known that Lockheed Martin already had eight fifth-generation fighters ready. It took about a month to resolve the problem. Now the company may resume deliveries of the F-35 Lightning II.

William LaPlante, the Deputy Secretary of Defense of the United States has signed the corresponding document. At the same time, Lockheed Martin and representatives of the F-35 program office refused to comment on the lack of official notification.

Source: Defense News