Department of Defense Grounds F-35 Fleet

Engine troubles cited

The DoD has suspended all test flights for the entire F-35 joint strike fighter fleet due to engine problems.

The move comes nine days after the Pentagon cleared the F-35B jump-jet variant, designed for the Marines, to resume tests after a month long suspension. Both suspensions are due to problems with the engines.

Unlike the last suspension, which was only for the B variant, this suspension affects all three variants — the F-35A Air Force conventional takeoff version, the F35-B for the Marines, and the F35-C carrier variant for the Navy.