War Reports - 2024-05-03 (Unlocked)

Multiple flaws & 'component failures' plague new Lockheed Martin-made F-35s

Five new Lockheed Martin-made F-35C Joint Strike Fighters delivered to a US Marine Corps fighter squadron in 2023 displayed alarming quality problems, according to a memo obtained by Defense News.

The memo written by VMFA-311 commander Lt. Col. Michael Fisher deplored an array of “persistent aircraft delivery discrepancies and premature component failures occurring at Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 311.”

Almost all the jets, estimated to cost around $94.4 million apiece, displayed flaws such as:

▪️Fuel contaminated with Krytox, a high-temperature lubricating grease.

▪️ Metal shavings in fuel that had to be disposed of.

▪️ Failed parts, such as electronic units, power and thermal management system controllers, an electric-hydrostatic actuator, panoramic cockpit display, backup oxygen system bottle, etc.

▪️ Incorrectly assembled parts with seals and segments not installed correctly.

▪️ A plastic scraper found …