Minor cracks found in F-35B

Two small cracks the Pentagon described as minor were found during ground tests of the F-35B in August. The cracks were in one of four load-bearing wing carry-through bulkheads. The short-takeoff and vertical landing variant, which will be flown by Marines, the U.K., and Italy, is being tested on the ground to determine airframe durability. Airframes are designed to last through 8,000 flight hours, and the cracks were found after the plane accumulated 9,400 hours. (Source: Bloomberg, 10/10/13) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 training center.