F-35A Cleared to fly in lighting for first time in 4 years
The Air Force’s F-35A Lightning II can now fly in lightning and thunderstorms after a four-year restriction was lifted. This ban, in place since 2020, was due to a damaged tube in the Onboard Inert Gas Generation System (OBIGGS), which protects the jet’s fuel tanks from lightning strikes. The issue was discovered during maintenance at Hill Air Force Base. The fix involved a more robust OBIGGS design and software updates, tested thoroughly before approval. This change restores the jet’s operational capabilities, ensuring pilot and aircraft safety.
