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Software Fix En Route to Grounded F-35s


ErnstBlofeld

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ErnstBlofeld
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Aviation Week and Space Technology/Graham Warwick:

Flight testing of the F-35 is expected to resume early next week after being suspended since early this week after a problem with the software controlling the fuel boost pumps was discovered in the lab. Modified software is to be loaded onto the test jets beginning Oct. 5.

Lockheed Martin originally said all F-35 variants were restricted to flying below 10,000ft, the altitude below which the boost pumps are not required. But the Pentagon now says all flights have been suspended as a routine safety precaution.

Meanwhile, STOVL-mode flying with the F-35B has been suspended since late last week because of an issue with an auxiliary-inlet door hinge on aircraft BF-1 - the only one instrumented for vertical landings. The cause of the hinge problem, and a fix, have not been found yet.

Precautionary groundings are indeed routine in development programs, but in this case they only increase the pressure on a flight-test program already running late. Lockheed still expects to meet its target of 394 flights this year, but only because the two CTOL F-35As at Edwards are so far ahead of plan - 114 flights so far this year against a plan of 53.

The F-35C carrier variant is also ahead of schedule - 14 flights against 9 planned - even through aircraft CF-1 did not return to flight in September as expected and remains in final finishes.

:snip: Edited by clearvision
Please snip articles.
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