B variant is the least reliable due to the lift fan.
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter News, Videos and pics Thread
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
Doesn't work as explanation - jet can fly away with broken lift fan. Something more core is broken.
Having a major capability like STVOL added makes the over all plane more complex and harder to troubleshoot.
It does, but lift fan per se isn't a reason to cancel transfer flight. Jets fly with something broken all the time.
I’m not saying that lift fan is the direct reason. I’m saying that having added complexity from lift fan makes the maintenance a lot more difficult, and it is possible that they messed up something critical.
Ah, that's for sure. Main argument against B really (+1 piece of machinery), you can interpret it maintenance-wise as a 2-engined F-35 variant.
The other issue is that these things were brand new and already grounded without even making it to service.
It really happens with military planes more often than people assume. Not just F-35.
Strictly per military quality meme.
