The USAF Air Combat Command has grounded its F-35A fleet over an issue with the Martin-Baker ejection seat cartridge actuated devices (CAD). Martin-Baker said the issue was found to be unique to the F-35. (US Air Force/Staff Sgt Zade Vadnais)
The US Air Force (USAF) Air Combat Command (ACC) has grounded its F-35A Lightning II fleet as it inspects the Martin-Baker ejection seat cartridge actuated devices (CAD).
The ACC grounded its F-35 aircraft on 29 July “out of an abundance of caution”, according to a statement to Janes on 29 July. The ACC began a 90-day inspection period on 19 July and grounded the fleet to speed up the process.
The CAD issue was found during “a routine maintenance inspection” at Hill Air Force Base in Utah in April 2022, according to a statement from Martin-Baker on 1 August.
“This issue was found to be unique to this particular CAD part number and unique to the F-35. Martin-Baker has been providing the primes and multiple government agencies with supporting data to prove that all other aircraft may be excluded. Outside the F-35, not a single anomaly has been discovered worldwide as a result of the forensic investigation, which continues at pace.”
Breaking Defense first reported the USAF F-35 grounding as the CAD issue continues to spread throughout the US military.
It is unclear if F-35B and F-35C variants are affected by the potential CAD problem. The navy referred Janes to the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO). The JPO told Janes in a 29 July statement that it was aware of the issue.
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