The dramatic lifting yesterday of a grounding order on the Lockheed ¬Martin F-35 briefly raised hopes that the stealthy type could make a transatlantic dash to the show, but was followed by late news from Washington that the Joint Strike Fighter will not be able to visit the UK.
An airworthiness board convened by the US Air Force and US Navy on Monday had approved a return to flight order for the F-35 fleet, but under certain limitations. These included a new inspection interval for the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, and a restricted flight envelope. To remain in place until the root cause of a late June fire has been identified, the measures effectively made the trip to the UK impossible.
The decision to allow the F-35 to return to the air came three weeks after a fire which erupted as an A-model aircraft was on a take-off roll at Eglin AFB, Florida. The pilot aborted the take-off attempt, before exiting the aircraft.
Four short take-off and vertical landing F-35Bs had been “perched” on the ramp at NAS Patuxent River in Maryland since 10 July, ready to deploy to the UK with tanker support.
Farnborough International described confirmation of the no-show as “disappointing”. It had held out hopes of the F-35 arriving in time for the weekend’s displays.
Source: Flight Daily News
