The F-35 could still make its UK debut this week at the Farnborough International Airshow after US military officials lifted the fleet-wide grounding and said the fighter jet could make limited flights.The fighter jet was grounded last month after a fire at a Florida airbase saw the Pratt & Whitney engine break apart, before pushing through the top of the aeroplane and catching fire while a pilot was preparing to take off.
Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told Reuters that the US air force and navy officials had granted the stealth jet a limited flight clearance that required engine inspections and carried restrictions on its flights. No details about the restrictions were given.
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The Pentagon scuttled the highly anticipated international debut of the military's advanced F-35 fighter jet, citing safety concerns arising from a recent engine fire.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the military cleared the F-35 for limited flights early Tuesday, the Pentagon said hours later that safety restrictions made it impossible to fly the plane to England to take part in the Farnborough International Air Show.