Article Posted on : - Aug 05, 2011

F-35 Lightning II. A Lockheed Martin photo.

WASHINGTON (BNS): The F-35 joint strike fighters have been grounded for the third time in less than a year because of a power system failure, reports said.

According to a Star-Telegram report, Pentagon has grounded the 20 operational test and training aircraft after a power system that starts and cools the aircraft failed during an engine ground test Tuesday at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Suspending flights "is the prudent action to take at this time until the F-35 engineering, technical and system safety teams fully understand the cause of the incident," the report quoting a statement of the F-35 Joint Program Office said.

Once the power system failed, “the engine was immediately shut down and the jet was secured.” No injuries to the pilot or ground crew occurred, it said.

Lockheed is the prime contractor on the F-35. In March, all 12 test planes then flying were grounded when a dual electrical power generator failed in flight.

Earlier in October, the planes were grounded for a week because of a software problem that could shut down fuel pumps in flight.

The power system that failed this week - the integrated power package - is used to start the main jet engine, provide air conditioning for the cockpit and numerous electrical systems, and generate backup electrical power, the report said.