The F-35 Joint Program Office authorized a return to ground
operations for the F-35 developmental test (DT) aircraft today.
This is the first step in returning the F-35 fleet to full flight
operations. A precautionary suspension of both ground and flight
operations for the program was issued Aug. 3.
File Photo
An Air Force Safety Investigation Board
convened Aug. 4 and is reviewing the circumstances that led to the
failure of the Integrated Power Package (IPP) aboard AF-4, an F-35A
conventional takeoff and landing variant, assigned to Edwards AFB,
Calif. The F-35's IPP is a turbo-machine that provides power to
start the engine and generates cooling for the aircraft.
While the investigation continues, government and contractor
engineering teams, after reviewing initial data, determined the
fleet could safely resume DT ground operations. Preliminary root
cause indicates that a control valve did not function properly
which led to the IPP failure. Monitoring of this valve is the
mitigating action to allow DT ground operations. The F-35 team is
revising ground monitoring procedures to ensure testing involving
the IPP takes place safely.
While initiating DT ground operations is a major step for the F-35
fleet returning to flight, further reviews are required prior to
lifting the suspension of flight operations for the 20 F-35s
currently in flying status. These aircraft are part of the System
Development and Demonstration (SDD) and Low Rate Initial Production
fleet.
The determinations of root cause and potential mitigating actions
have the highest priority of the F-35 Team. The impact to SDD
execution and production operations is being assessed. The program
has built margin into the test schedule to accommodate these kinds
of incidents that occur in the development effort. Periodic updates
concerning this situation will be released as warranted.
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