Further restrictions lifted for F-35 test fleet

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter test fleet will be able to fly six hours between engine inspections for weapon test and refueling missions, as restrictions on the fifth-generation fighter continue to ease.

Previously, the entire F-35 fleet was limited to three hours of flight time before an engine inspection was required as an investigation continues into a fire that heavily damaged an F-35A model on June 23.

The test fleet is made up of 20 F-35 fighters. The remaining 79 F-35s are still operating under the full restrictions.

Read more