The delivery of at least three jets has already been delayed after a temporary suspension went into effect on Aug. 31 following the discovery of the Chinese-produced cobalt and samarium alloy in the Honeywell-manufactured turbomachine pump used on all three variants of the F-35. All of the more than 825 F-35s delivered to date, including those for foreign customers, include the Chinese alloy.
"While we do not know the length of the delivery pause, we currently remain on schedule to deliver 148-153 F-35s in 2022," Laura F. Siebert, a Lockheed Martin spokesperson, said Wednesday. "We have delivered 88 to date."