Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comSign up WASHINGTON, Sept 7 (Reuters) – The U.S. Pentagon has stopped taking delivery of new F-35 jets after discovering that a magnet used in the stealth fighter’s engine was made with unauthorized material from China, a U.S. official said on Wednesday. An investigation that gathered steam in mid-August found that an alloy in the engine’s oil pump did not comply with U.S. procurement laws that prohibit unauthorized Chinese content, Pentagon spokesman Russell Gomaier said. Goemaere confirmed that the magnet does not transmit information or damage aircraft and that there are no risks. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comSign up Lockheed Martin, which makes the jets, said “the issue is related to a magnet in the F-35 Turbomachine manufactured by Honeywell that includes a cobalt and samarium alloy.” Honeywell International Inc ( HON.O ), which makes the pump, said it “remains committed to providing high-quality products that meet or exceed all customer contract requirements.” An alternate source for the alloy will be used in the future, the Joint Program Office said in a statement. There are other magnets of Chinese origin on the aircraft who have received resignations from previous Pentagon officials. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comSign up Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington Editing by Bernadette Baum and Josie Kao Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
