Minor quality control issue creates new problem for F-35 enterprise

[nitpicker]

https://www.defensenews.com/air/2017/11/01/minor-quality-control-issue-creates-new-problem-for-f-35-enterprise/

Minor quality control issue creates new problem for F-35 enterprise

By: Valerie Insinna    12 hours ago


WASHINGTON — A quality control issue at Lockheed Martin stopped F-35 deliveries for a month, but even more time will be needed to roll out a fix to impacted jets across the fleet. When corrosion was found in several fastener holes under the fuselage panels of a F-35A undergoing maintenance at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, the F-35 joint program office suspended deliveries of the aircraft to give it and Lockheed time to analyze the issue, a Lockheed spokesman said in a statement. That interruption lasted from Sept. 21 to Oct. 20. The investigation found that Lockheed had not been applying the required primer, which prevents corrosion, to the fastener holes on F-35 substructures during the production process.

In terms the problems that have plagued the F-35 program, the lack of primer on fastener holes is minor when compared to past issues, which have included faulty insulation that disintegrated into the aircraft’s fuel tank or an engine rubbing problem that increased the danger of fires.
(snip)

However, depending on the extent of the problem, making repairs could be a lengthy process — and one that could potentially add even more cost to the program, if the Defense Department is forced to pay for the fix.

The JPO and Lockheed statements do not quantify how many of the more than 250 F-35s already delivered to the U.S. military and partner nations are impacted by the quality lapse. However, the program office states it and Lockheed are currently working on a corrective action maintenance plan to “implement the necessary repairs to all aircraft in the field while minimizing impact to operations.”
(snip)

[democratisphere]

1. Corporate corner cutting. Shame on Lockheed Martin.

How do things like this get screwed up? Heads should roll in QC!