F-35 engine production stalled for three weeks in May over titanium issue

[unhappycamper]

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/09/03/f-35-engine-production-stalled-three-weeks-may-titanium/



F-35 engine production stalled for three weeks in May over titanium issue
By Brandon Turkus
Posted Sep 3rd 2014 9:31AM

Jet engine supplier Pratt and Whitney confirmed yesterday that it stopped production of F135 engines slated for the F-35 Lightning II for a three-week period in May of 2014 after an issue with a titanium supplier.

"Suspension of F135 engine deliveries due to the A&P Alloys issue lasted approximately three weeks," Pratt & Whitney spokesman Matthew Bates told IHS Jane's. "We were not able to validate the pedigree of the material as required."

The issue is particularly notable, Jane's points out, due to the June engine fire in an F-35 at Florida's Eglin Air Force Base. The fire is apparently "unrelated" to the titanium part, although that hasn't stopped the Air Force from holding off on engine deliveries "until further notice." The investigation into the June fire is still ongoing, Jane's reports.

The heart of the May issue rested with the fan variable arm. Over 100 aircraft were fitted with the sub-standard part, with replacements to be installed using funds from Pratt and Whitney's pocket.

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http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pratt-amp-whitney-sues-supplier-of-titanium-used-in-f-35-403306/

Pratt & Whitney sues supplier of titanium used in F-35 engines
By: Dan Parsons

The sole manufacturer of engines for the Lockheed F-35 Lightning II discovered in May 2013 that it had used substandard titanium alloy that might have been illegally purchased from Russia.

Pratt & Whitney halted delivery of F135 engines that contained the suspect titanium and has subsequently sued the supplier, A&P Alloys, of West Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

Titanium is popular in aircraft manufacturing for its strength and light weight. In May 2013, P&W learned a majority of an order of 900 pieces of the metal was originally melted in Russia, according to the lawsuit filed on 29 August in the US District Court of Massachusetts.

The discovery last year of conflicting documentation of the metal’s origin resulted in a “quality hold” on delivery of the F135 engine, the company says. The titanium was used to manufacture some parts used in engines made by Pratt & Whitney Canada.