In the United States, several F-35 fighter jets remain on the ground for the time being. The reason for the decision is a crash landing of a B-series aircraft on December 15 in Texas, reports the industry medium “Defense News” with reference to the competent authority.
When the VTOL attempted to land at the military airfield in the small Texas town of White Settlement, the tip of the F-35B touched the runway and apparently moved uncontrollably on the ground. The pilot saved himself using an ejection seat.
Jets of all three series – A, B and C – are affected by the start ban, the report goes on to say. The responsible authority did not want to say how many jets are affected.
However, only jets with less than 40 flight hours are affected. The starting ban should initially apply until January. According to media reports, more than eleven F-35 jets of the Israeli Air Force were also grounded.
A day before the crash landing, the German purchase of F35A jets had been approved by the budget committee of the Bundestag.
The traffic light government had estimated almost ten billion euros for the purchase of 35 aircraft. The A-series aircraft cannot take off vertically. The first machines should be ready for use in 2028.
Critics of the procurement of the F-35 stealth jets for Germany cite, among other things, several incidents with the plane – the crash landing in Texas is the most recent incident.
In November 2017, a Royal Navy F-35B crashed into the Mediterranean Sea while taking off from an aircraft carrier. But there were also problems with the A and C series. (Tsp with AFP)
To home page
- armed forces
- United States
