Report: F-35 fuel tanks at risk of explosion in storm - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

Report: F-35 fuel tanks at risk of explosion in storm

Posted: Updated:
(Source: KSWT-Yuma) An F-35 after it was delivered at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma. (Source: KSWT-Yuma) An F-35 after it was delivered at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma.
  • NEWS

  • Friday, May 17 2013 10:12 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:12:11 GMT
    Shana Young has lived in Columbus for quite some time she remembers when uptown used to be downtown and it wasn't the heavily populated place it is today. She believes a lot of that is because of Columbus
    Shana Young has lived in Columbus for quite some time she remembers when uptown used to be downtown and it wasn't the heavily populated place it is today. She believes a lot of that is because of Columbus
  • Saturday, May 18 2013 3:58 PM EDT2013-05-18 19:58:17 GMT
    Four vehicles burned overnight in Columbus' Historic District. The car owners live within a block of each other. The victims say they don't have any idea why they were targeted. Find out how the suspects
    Four vehicles burned overnight in Columbus' Historic District. The car owners live within a block of each other. 
  • Saturday, May 18 2013 8:46 AM EDT2013-05-18 12:46:00 GMT
    Before you know it, school will be out and parents will be looking for things for their kids to do. We compiled a list of nine things to do in Columbus this summer for kids.
    Before you know it, school will be out and parents will be looking for things for their kids to do. We compiled a list of nine things to do in Columbus this summer for kids.
PHOENIX (CBS5) -

Pilots of the U.S. military's new F-35 fighter jets are being ordered not to fly in a storm because the new jets might explode.

Engineers have identified a problem with the fuel tank that could blow up if it was struck by lightning, according to a Department of Defense report.

For now, pilots are being told to stay at least 25 miles away from any thunderstorm.

The restriction will be lifted once an oxygen gauge in the tank is re-designed and installed.

Luke Air Force Base is scheduled to be a training base for the F-35.

It was chosen in August as the site for the F35A Lightning II pilot training center and is expected to have as many as 72 of the aircraft.

Pilots at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma were expected to begin flying the new F-35s this week. Three have already been delivered to the Yuma base and is scheduled to have two squadrons of 16 planes each by January 2014.

Copyright 2013 CBS 5 (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.