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F-35 and the Fight Against Corrosion

MAY 8, 2025 – In a quiet hangar on an airbase, an F-35 Lightning II aircraft sits silently, its sleek lines slightly marred by streaks of discoloration. Exposure to jet blast, airborne debris, oil, and fuel residues in harsh environments has left marks on its surface — a common occurrence for any fighter aircraft. But beneath that worn exterior, low observable (LO) characteristics remain uncompromised. This is the natural result of high-performance operations in unforgiving conditions.

Discoloration vs. Degradation
Much of what the public sees as damage, such as the discoloration on jets returning from deployment, does not represent a degraded aircraft. During shipboard deployments, jets often experience coating discoloration due to the harsh maritime environment. Contributing factors include frequent exposure to sea water, contamination from grease, oil, and other fluids, as well as close proximity to jet blast and rotor wash.

While it may look severe, these marks do not indicate a loss of coating integrity nor stealth performance. The discoloration is limited to the coating and does not affect the structure of the aircraft.

The F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (JPO) has developed and introduced a new aircraft coating designed to significantly reduce or eliminate discoloration, enhance durability, and extend the coating’s service life. Over the coming years, this new coating will be applied to fielded aircraft as part of routine maintenance—similar to how coatings are restored on commercial and military jets. It will provide improved protection against operational wear and is part of a broader series of upgrades that support the program’s long-term, adaptive sustainability strategy.

A Battle in the Background
Corrosion doesn’t come with flashing alarms or immediate system failures—it works quietly and gradually, often concealed beneath coatings or hidden within seams, joints, and fasteners. The F-35’s complex airframe, made from a blend of aluminum, titanium, and carbon composites, offers immense performance benefits but also introduces the risk of galvanic corrosion when these dissimilar metals interact in humid, salty environments.

Recognizing the threat corrosion poses, the F-35 JPO has made corrosion control a top priority. Over time, the program has steadily implemented measures to reduce corrosion risks across the fleet. In recent years, these efforts have intensified, supported by a larger, more focused team driving a coordinated, enterprise-wide strategy. This evolving corrosion control program ensures the F-35 remains safe and mission-ready in diverse environments—from salty ocean air aboard aircraft carriers to humid, tropical forward bases.

This was not always the case. For several years, the F-35 JPO operated without a fully developed corrosion management framework. This left field maintainers and depot crews playing “catch-up” as the fleet matured.

Today, these teams, supported by a growing base of engineers and other experts, are bringing every jet up to standard and improved supply chain of consumables, ensuring long-term readiness and mission capability.

Pride in Persistence
The F-35 JPO’s battle with corrosion improvement and management is not dramatic. It does not make headlines like a successful sortie or a new weapons integration. But it is vital. It is ongoing. And it is being won thanks to the dedication of maintainers, depot teams, and engineers who are working tirelessly to protect the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft.

These efforts ensure that the F-35 remains not just capable, but reliable, ready to dominate the skies for decades to come.

Story by F-35 Joint Program Office Public Affairs
F-35 Joint Program Office

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Medal of Honor Monday: Seay

AUGUST 25, 2025 – Army Sgt. William Wayne Seay risked his life numerous times to save his comrades as their convoy was ambushed during an important mission in the Vietnam War. He didn’t survive the firefight to tell his story, but his selfless actions led to a posthumous Medal of Honor. Seay was born Oct. […]

Air National Guard Unveils New Bonus Program

MARCH 11, 2023 – On March 1st, the Air National Guard (ANG) launched a new bonus program to attract and retain personnel in critical specialties. The initiative offers significant financial rewards, with bonuses of up to $90,000 for eligible members, depending on their Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs). This strategic move aims to strengthen the […]

Education Benefits Make Stronger Service Members

APRIL 3, 2025 – Within the armed forces, a variety of educational benefits are available that allow service members to both improve themselves and make themselves more valuable to their service branch. One example is the Military Tuition Assistance Program. The program is available to enlisted personnel, officers and warrant officers in the Army, Navy, […]

Former Soldier Navigates Job Hunt

NOVEMBER 19, 2024 — In early 2017, Michael Quinn endured what he called the worst day in the worst year of his life. Quinn, then a sergeant major and 24-year Army Soldier, had weathered deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines. As an Army counter-intelligence agent, he said he learned to operate under grave circumstances […]

What You Need to Know About Tribal Lending

AUGUST 11, 2025 – Tribal lending is a type of loan offered by lenders that are owned and operated by Native American tribes. These lenders work under tribal law, not state law, which gives them more freedom in how they run their business.  According to a 2024 report released by the U.S. Department of Treasury, […]

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