The global fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35 combat jets have been temporarily grounded to investigate engine problems following a Marine Corps plane crash last month.
Officials said the fleet of about 320 jets would undergo inspections over the next 48 hours to check fuel tubes in engines that are made by Pratt & Whitney.
Fuel tubes are suspected to be faulty. Fuel tubes may be installed on around half of the global fleet, limited to planes made before 2016, according to people familiar with the F-35’s production process. Some aircraft have already been inspected and have resumed flying.
Israel and other American allies with F-35s have also grounded their jets for inspections.
Recently the US negotiated a bulk order discount for a 5% price reduction to get new F-35s down to $90 million each.