It’s unclear when F-35s with magnets made from the new alloy will begin rolling off the production line, and if the Chinese alloy is found to violate defense acquisition regulations, a national defense waiver would be needed to deliveries resume
The Pentagon has temporarily stopped taking deliveries of the Lockheed Martin-made F-35 after it found that an alloy used in magnets in the jet’s turbine pumps was made in China.
According to breakingdefense, F-35 JPO spokesman Russell Gomaier said the F-35 program office has assessed that the Chinese alloy does not pose a security risk that could expose the stealth jet to cyber attacks or other malicious techniques and has already identified, an alternative source for the alloy.
However, it is unclear when F-35s with magnets made from the new alloy will begin rolling off the production line, and if the Chinese alloy is found to violate defense acquisition regulations, a national defense waiver would be needed to restart the traditions.
The F-35 turbo engine, which is manufactured by Honeywell, provides power for engine start and ground maintenance. Honeywell was told by its oil pump supplier that one of its magnet suppliers had used a cobalt-samarium alloy made in China, Lockheed Martin spokeswoman Laura Siebert said.
DCMA and the program office suspended F-35 deliveries on Aug. 31 to give the Defense Department time to investigate whether the use of the alloy violated the Federal Defense Acquisition Regulations Supplement, according to a source with knowledge of the program.
If the Chinese alloy is found to be non-compliant with DFARS, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment—in this case, Bill LaPlante—can issue a written certification that acceptance of the F-35s is necessary in the interests of national security of the United States.
That investigation has not yet been completed, although the program office received a “formal disclosure” of possible noncompliance from the contractor on September 2. “Further investigation is underway to understand the causal factors for the non-compliance and determine corrective measures,” it said.
Lockheed Martin spokeswoman Laura Siebert said, “Honeywell has stopped working with the alloy supplier and an alternate source from the US is already on order with expected delivery next month.” However, it’s unclear how long it will take for the new alloy from fuel pump supplier Honeywell to reach Lockheed Martin’s F-35 production line, and Siebert noted that “we don’t know the length of the delivery pause.”
Lockheed is currently working with the Pentagon to provide any information it may need for a national defense waiver if the Chinese alloy is ultimately found to be non-compliant.
“We are working with our partners and the Department of Defense to ensure contractual compliance within the supply chain,” Siebert said. “The magnet has no visibility or access to sensitive program information. The F-35 remains safe to fly and we are working with the Department of Defense to resolve the issue as quickly as possible to resume deliveries.”
Lockheed has delivered 88 F-35s this year so far and remains on target to complete 148 to 153 F-35s in 2022, Siebert said. Completed aircraft not yet delivered will remain at Lockheed’s Fort Worth manufacturing facility.
