Thermal coating problems land 43 US F-35 stealth fighters
By Boyko Nikolov On Jul 16, 2021
WASHINGTON, BM – The fifth-generation stealth fighter and the American flagship for technological progress in military aircraft construction, the F-35, continues to be accompanied by problems, it became clear after hearing Air Force Lt. Gen. Eric Fick before the House Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces of Congress. According to the latest data released to the public, 15% of the US F-35 fleet cannot fly.
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The reason, as it turns out, is a problem with the thermal coating of the turbine rotor blades, which, contrary to expectations and the expected service life, wear out too quickly. A congressional hearing revealed that 43 American F-35 stealth fighters could not fly for this very reason. This is 15% of the entire US F-35 fleet, which by May 8, 2021, numbered 283 F-35A. Three other fighters from NATO member states (not mentioned which ed.) also have this problem.
https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2021/07/16/thermal-coating-problems-land-43-us-f-35-stealth-fighters/
