Pentagon halts Lockheed Martin F-35 jet flights to examine fuel tubes
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - All U.S. and international F-35 fighter jets made by Lockheed Martin Co have been grounded so that fuel tubes can be examined, a Pentagon spokesperson said on Thursday.
The inspection was spurred by initial data from an ongoing investigation of the F-35B, the short takeoff and landing version of the jet, that crashed in the vicinity of Beaufort, South Carolina on Sept. 28.[nL2N1WE1K3]
The inspections are expected to be completed within the next 24 to 48 hours, the Pentagon spokesperson said in a statement.
A person familiar with Lockheed's delivery pipeline said the company was already flying and testing the jets slated for near-term delivery.
Lockheed is slated to deliver 91 jets this year.
(Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
