Recognizing the threat posed by corrosion, the U.S. Armed Forces have identified and categorized it as one of the priorities when it comes to maintaining and sustaining their fleet of fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets.
For the purpose of combating corrosion and its often silent effects, the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office has developed and introduced into the fighter fleet a new coating designed to reduce or eliminate discoloration, improve durability, and extend the coating’s service life.
In the coming years, this new coating will be applied to aircraft in service as part of routine maintenance. This solution is expected to increase protection against operational wear and tear, being part of a series of initiatives conceived within the framework of the program’s long-term adaptive sustainability strategy.
Corrosion in aircraft—and in this case in the F-35 Lightning II—represents a major challenge for the U.S. Armed Forces, as it often acts silently and gradually, “…often hidden beneath coatings or inside joints, seams, and fasteners…”. The complex structure of the F-35, made from aluminum, titanium, and carbon composites, introduces the risk of galvanic corrosion when these different metals interact in humid and salty environments.
In recent years, efforts to detect and prevent the effects of corrosion in a timely manner have intensified. To this end, larger and more focused teams have been established, driven by a jointly coordinated strategy. “…This evolving corrosion control program ensures the F-35 remains safe and mission-ready in a variety of environments, from the salty sea air aboard aircraft carriers to advanced tropical and humid bases…,” states the F-35 Joint Program Office.
The implementation of new strategies and preventive plans aims to address shortcomings experienced over several years, when the U.S. Armed Forces’ F-35 Lightning IIs had to operate without a fully developed corrosion management framework. This forced technicians and crews to “catch up” as the fifth-generation fighter fleet matured.
Unlike the early years of the F-35 Lightning II’s service, the solutions implemented by the U.S. Armed Forces have made it possible to build a growing base of engineers and other experts—personnel who have raised standards and improved the supply chain of consumables, ensuring long-term availability and mission capability.
Illustrative cover image. Credits: US Navy – Lt.j.g. Drew Verbis
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