F-35 has tailhook issue

Lockheed Martin is working on a solution to a problem with the tailhook on the F-35C, officials said. According to published reports, the carrier variant of the F-35 can't land on a carrier because the tailhook is too short, too close to the landing gear and can't grab arresting cables. Leaked Pentagon documents claim the design flaw has caused eight simulated landings to fail. (Source: Daily Telegraph, 01/16/12) Lockheed Martin has traced the problem to the tailhook design and efforts to fix the problem under way. Tom Burbage, Lockheed program manager, said the problem is limited to the hook itself. The hook system is being modified and tests will be done in the second quarter of the year. (Source: Navy Times, 01/17/12) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the site of the F-35 training center.