The Lightning Program is Doin' Just Great, As Per Usual
A 2020 flight restriction on the F-35A will reportedly not be rescinded any time soon, preventing the Lightning fighter from operating within 25 miles of lightning storms. The issue stems from a problem with damaged tubing inside the keystone of the fighter's lightning protection system. The Onboard Inert Gas Generation System (OBIGGS) was expected to be fixed some time last summer according to the F-35 Joint Program Office, but now a finalized solution to the problem isn't ready in the foreseeable future. The JPO has assessed the hardware and software upgrades, but according to Chief Petty Officer Matthew Olay, the restrictions will remain in place.
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