Aviation

Pentagon suspends F-35 deliveries after discovering materials from China

Following Lockheed Martin‘s discovery that a metal component used in the jet’s engine was sourced from China, the Pentagon has temporarily halted the supply of F-35 fighter jets to the military services and foreign customers.

A magnet in the F-35’s Honeywell-manufactured turbo machine, which powers the engine-mounted starter/generator, was recently found to have been made with a cobalt and samarium alloy that originated in China, according to Lockheed Martin.

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A spokesman for the F-35 JPO, Russell Goemaere, acknowledged the magnet doesn’t transmit information or put the aircraft in danger and stated flight operations for F-35s that have already been delivered and put into service will continue as usual.

Defense companies willingly provided information to DCMA and the JPO once the problem was identified, and they were able to locate a different supplier of the alloy that will be utilised in future turbo machines.

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Notably, certain specialised metals or alloys manufactured by “covered countries” identified in the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation series are not permitted to be used, according to US law and a separate Pentagon acquisition regulation.

To make sure the supply chain complies with the contract, we are working with our partners and DOD. Any private programme information is not visible to or accessible to the public. According to Lockheed Martin, the F-35 is still safe for flight, and we are collaborating with the DOD to find a speedy solution so that we can resume deliveries.

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Aviation

Boeing, Antonov to Collaborate on Defense Projects

– MOU represents Boeing’s commitment to work with Ukrainian industry

– Includes exploring opportunities for collaborating on in-country support of Unmanned Aerial Systems

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today by Boeing and Antonov Company to investigate potential collaboration on defense-related projects.

“We’re happy to keep collaborating with the Antonov Company to help Ukraine’s economic development and expansion,” stated Ted Colbert, CEO and president of Boeing Defence, Space, & Security.

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“This agreement demonstrates our ongoing efforts to find more opportunities to work with Ukrainian industry, which was underscored by our signing of the Ukrainian Defence Industry Compact earlier this year.”

The areas of potential collaboration identified in the agreement consist of training, logistical support and overhaul services for tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems utilized by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which includes the ScanEagle. In addition, the companies will also explore opportunities for Antonov to provide engineering support to Boeing.

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“A strong, innovative, and efficient defense industry is key to sustainable economic development and national security, and we are extremely excited to collaborate with Boeing,” said Ievhen Gavrylov, CEO of Antonov Company.

This agreement brings a whole new level of opportunity to implement the latest and most effective solutions – in addition to the possibility of future projects with Boeing in the aerospace and defense industry.”