Training F-35 stealth fighters ‘grounded’ after air supply problems

THE world’s most expensive fighter jet - the F-35 - has been grounded in the United States after starving its pilots of oxygen.

A pilot sits in the cockpit of an F-35 fighter jet preparing for a training mission. The entire force of 55 training F-35’s at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona — where Australia’s trainee pilots and test aircraft are based — have been grounded. Picture: US Dept Defense

AUSTRALIA’S F-35 stealth fighter pilots are among dozens grounded in the United States after their aircraft starved them of oxygen.

The US Air Force ordered an indefinite flight ban at the weekend while it seeks the cause for the potentially fatal problem.

The 56th Fighter Wing of Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, is the site of an international pilot training program for the multi-role stealth fighter. Several Australian pilots and aircraft are based there.

The base “will continue their pause in local F-35A flying to co-ordinate analysis and communication between pilots, maintainers, medical professionals and a team of military and industry experts,” spokeswoman Major Rebecca Heyse said in a statement.

Two Royal Australian Air Force F-35 aircraft sit on the tarmac at Avalon airport. A unit of the aircraft has been grounded in the US after experiencing oxygen supply issues. Picture: AFP/Jeremy R Dixon

THIN AIR

The planes were grounded at the weekend due to five incidents since May 2 in which pilots experienced hypoxia (oxygen deficiency).

Currently, the Wing has 55 F-35A planes that are used to train pilots from the US and other air forces that are buying the jet.

Heyse said it was unclear when the “pause” would be lifted, but noted that none of the incidents were serious and pilots were able to use their training to avert any problems.

The Autonomic Logistics Information System, or #ALIS, is the IT backbone of the #F35 fleet. pic.twitter.com/1WegPWaFLr

— F-35 Lightning II (@thef35) June 7, 2017

“The safety of our airmen is paramount and we will take as much time as necessary to ensure their safety,” she said.

Another spokesman, Captain Mark Graff, said in a statement that a backup oxygen system kicked in as designed.

An Australain F-35 puts on a show at Avalon earlier this year. Picture: David Caird

ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT

The F-35 comes in three versions, with the “A” model being that used by Australian and United States air forces.

The Marines have a version that can land vertically, and the Navy’s variant will be able to land on carriers.

With a current development and acquisition price tag already at US$379 ($A502) billion for a total of 2443 F-35 aircraft — most destined for the Air Force — the F-35 is the most expensive plane in history, and costs are set to rise further still.

Once servicing and maintenance costs for the F-35 are factored in over the aircraft’s lifespan through 2070, overall program costs are expected to rise to $1.5 (AU$2) trillion.

#F35 gets new ejection seat, the retrofitting process has already begun. https://t.co/LRnfcZPnFs pic.twitter.com/eNig21gMVy

— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) May 16, 2017

Proponents tout the F-35’s radar-dodging stealth technology, supersonic speeds, close air-support capabilities, airborne agility and a massive array of sensors giving pilots unparalleled access to information.

But the program has faced numerous delays, cost overruns and setbacks, including an engine fire in 2014 that led commanders to ground planes until the problem could be resolved.

Other problems include software bugs, technical glitches and even a faulty eject system that risked killing pilots who weighed less than 62 kilograms.