American F-35 fighter jet. Figure: Retrieved from Wikipedia (data photo)
U.S. aerospace manufacturer Lockheed Martin found a metal part used to build the F-35 fighter jet came from China, and the U.S. Defense Department said it had temporarily suspended deliveries of the jet to the military and international customers.
According to the U.S. political news media “Politico” (Politico) on the 7th local time, the U.S. Defense Contract Management Agency (Defense Contract Management Agency) notified the Pentagon’s F-35 Joint Program Office on August 19. The magnet alloys in it are from China, Lockheed Martin manufactures the entire fighter jet, and the turbines are manufactured by Honeywell, an American engineering and technical services and aerospace systems company.
The turbines use fluid impingement to turn the impellers to provide power for ground maintenance, engine start-up and emergency power, as well as compressed air for the thermal management system during ground maintenance, the report said.
Russell Goemaere, a spokesman for the F-35 Joint Program Office, said authorities had confirmed that the Chinese-made magnet parts would not compromise the transmission of information or the integrity of the aircraft, and there was no performance, Quality, safety or security risks, flight operations of the F-35 in-service fleet will continue as normal. Defense contractors voluntarily shared information with the Defense Contracts Administration and the Joint Program Office once problems were identified, and an alternate source of alloys that will be used in future turbines has been identified.
The U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, as well as 10 other countries own F-35 fighter jets. The Department of Defense is investigating why Chinese alloys are embedded in the F-35 program. Once it is determined that Lockheed Martin violated relevant regulations, it will need to obtain A national security waiver is required to resume deliveries.
“We are working with our partners and the Department of Defense to ensure that contracts within the supply chain are in compliance,” Lockheed Martin spokeswoman Laura Siebert said in the statement. The alloy of F-35 magnets Without being able to view or access any sensitive procedural information, the F-35 is still safe to fly and we are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible to resume deliveries”
The F-35 Joint Program Office, the Defense Contracts Administration and Lockheed Martin meet daily to conduct a broader analysis of the supply chain, according to people familiar with the matter. William LaPlante, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, will decide whether the program qualifies for a national security waiver.
In addition, Hanway Associates spokesman Adam Kress pointed out that it remains committed to providing high-quality products that meet or exceed all customer contract requirements and is currently working closely with the Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin to ensure Continue to deliver on our commitment to provide products for use in the F-35.
US aerospace manufacturer Lockheed Martin found a metal part used to make F-35 fighter jets came from China
The U.S. Department of Defense said it has temporarily suspended deliveries of the fighter to the military and international customers.
Magnet alloy found in F-35 turbo pump is from China
An American F-35 fighter jet lands on the deck of an aircraft carrier. Image: Retrieved from US Navy