F-35 tires wear out too soon

Landing-gear tires made by the UK's Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Ltd. for the Marine Corps version of the F-35 have "been experiencing an unacceptable wear rate when operating as a conventional aircraft," according to Joe DellaVedova, spokesman for the Defense Department's F-35 program office. He said the $1,500 tire demonstrates adequate wear when the aircraft performs short takeoffs and vertical landings intended for amphibious warfare vessels and improvised runways. The Pentagon is working with Lockheed Martin and Birmingham, UK-based Dunlop Tyres on a new design that will be introduced next year. (Source: Bloomberg, 09/17/13) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 training center.