The reliability of the latest American fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets was in great doubt.
It has been established that during the intensive operation of the F-35 over the sea surface, the stealth coating of aircraft undergoes severe corrosion and destruction. As a result, the function of invisibility of cars practically disappears, which leads to their detection by radars.
Fighters stationed on aircraft carriers are particularly susceptible to this problem. So, even after short hikes, the fuselage coating peels off from the F-35, which requires serious repairs to restore it.
Interestingly, this effect is also observed when the F-35 passes through a thunderstorm front. In this case, the wear of the coating occurs even more intensively due to the accumulation of a statistical charge on the fuselage of the fighter.
Thus, the Pentagon has acquired a "precious toy", which, in addition to expensive maintenance, also requires constant repair, writes Free News.