F-35 News. Add bulkhead problems to the list of issues...

The lead in this story was that the USMC is sticking to its IOC date with the F-35 despite software issues.

But as usual, defense writers and the mainstream media don't realize when they have a juicy bit of news that will set the industry on fire.  via Flight Global...

Meanwhile, Bogdan also says he is worried about the integrity of the F-35B’s aluminium 496 bulkhead, which bears critical structural loads where the trailing edge of the wing attaches to the aft fuselage. In 2004, programme officials reduced the weight of the F-35B by about 1,360kg (3,000lb). Those changes included switching the bulkhead material from titanium to lighter-weight aluminium.
The lighter bulkhead has since proved susceptible to structural cracking, requiring a series of “patches” all over the 496 bulkhead. There are now so many patches that programme officials are concerned it may be necessary to redesign the bulkhead for production aircraft, Bogdan says.
Finally, Lockheed’s autonomic logistics information system (ALIS) is not ready to support a growing fleet of operational and test aircraft, Bogdan says. It will take a few years to resolve the ALIS deficiencies, and until then F-35B maintainers must use workarounds to inspect and repair the aircraft.

Yeah.

The plane is a flying patch that will require ANOTHER redesign.  Gone unnoticed is the fact that its already bumping up against weight limits as it is.

I wonder how long the carrier version will last after repeated landings...controlled crashes like the Naval aviators like to call them?

I've been told that this problem only affects the "B" model.  That's even worse news.

The assumption I've been operating under is that the USMC is pushing forward so hard with the F-35, even though its obviously not ready for prime time, because its seeking to clear the procurement train wreck that its in.  Items have to get cleared from the table and despite the pain the quicker the F-35 can be bought, the sooner they can move on to the other things that are needed.

IF a redesign is necessary then the agony doesn't stop and the trainwreck stretches into another decade...and two more Commandant's will face the prospect of sending forces into battle with substandard airplanes AND armor.

Someone remind me to send the Commandant a bottle of Jack Daniel's Honey.  The guy probably doesn't drink but I bet he's gonna need a few stiff ones if the news keeps coming in like this!