Tri-Service

F-35 Ejector Seat Fix Could Be Ready By End Of Year

Reports: F-35 Ejector Seats Could Kill Pilots Under 14st

Modifications to make the F-35 Lightning II ejection system safe for lighter pilots should be completed this year.

Tests had revealed that firing the Mk.16 Martin Baker ejector seat risked breaking the necks of pilots under 199lbs (14 stone) if they had to bail out at low speed.

The fixes include an ejector delay switch to offset the weight issues, a head support panel and lighter flying helmet.

It's reported the Pentagon is confident it can push through the fixes by November.

Britain is ordering 138 of the £100 million aircraft, which the government confirmed earlier this year are on schedule to enter service in 2018. They're planned to be flying off the UK's new aircraft carriers by 2020.

More: British Pilot Behind First Ski Jump For F-35B Lightning II

The US Air Force (USAF) had banned pilots who weighed under 136lbs (9st 10lbs) from flying the new fifth generation stealth jet until 2018, because of a 98% chance of them being killed if they had to carry out a low-speed ejection.

American officials warned that pilots up to 14st 3lbs, meanwhile, were at "serious-level risk” too.

Defence Procurement Minister Philip Dunne told parliament earlier this year:

"A temporary weight restriction has been imposed for UK pilots, which does not constrain flight operations at this time. A range of design solutions are being developed and these are expected to be in place before the aircraft enters service in the UK."

An MOD spokesperson added:

"There are no UK F-35 pilots affected by this issue and we do not anticipate any impact on national flying operations while this seat development issue is resolved. “The safety of our personnel remains of paramount importance."

Low-speed ejections only happen on take-off and landing, and happen around once every 100,000 flight hours.

It's not the first time the F-35 has come in for criticism. In summer last year it was alleged to have lost a dogfight to a jet from the 1970s, although its manufacturer and the US military argued that it wasn't a fair test due to the plane's stealth technology not having been fitted.