EXCLUSIVE: The F-35 has 13 "category 1" deficiencies, the designation DoD gives to a program's most technical serious issues. @defense_news is exploring each in depth, becoming the first news outlet to obtain this information.

Not all will be fixed before full rate production.

https://twitter.com/defense_news/status/1138741599297576962

@defense_news Let's start with the one that is the most damning.

When the F-35B and C operate at supersonic speeds and at certain elevations, there is a risk of damage to the aircraft's stealth coating or structure.

defensenews.com/air/2019/06/12…

It's important to note that this problem has only happened once with each variant, and even when the program office has tried to replicate those same conditions, they haven't seen the same damage.

That's why the Defense Department isn't pursuing a fix for this one.

Here's an F-35 physiological problem you probably haven't heard: Pressure spikes in the cabin have led to "excruciating" ear and sinus pain for two Air Force pilots. A fix is planned to begin flight testing this year:

defensenews.com/air/2019/06/12…

You may have heard about F-35 international partners' concerns about the security of their sovereign data.

The documents we obtained stated that apparently at least two countries threatened to leave the program as a result of those concerns:

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This story does have a happy ending, though: All of the partners stayed, and a fix is rolling out as we speak.

Here's a fantastic story from @AaronMehta about a problem Marines discovered on the Essex during a recent deployment:

defensenews.com/air/2019/06/12…

@AaronMehta And another from @AaronMehta about a problem Air Force pilots discovered while doing cold weather tests in Alaska:

defensenews.com/air/2019/06/12…

In this story @DavidLarter reports on a problem where pilots of the B and C model experience when doing maneuvers with more than 20 degrees angle of attack:

defensenews.com/smr/hidden-tro…

.@DavidLarter also walked us through the latest on the "green glow" problem...as well as a connected issue with the night vision camera you might not have heard about:

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You can't always blame the contractor. One of these deficiencies is actually due to the military's change in requirements. @DavidLarter has that story here: defensenews.com/smr/hidden-tro…

I explored a more minor issue here that got fixed for the F-35 carrier variant, but doesn't have a full fix for the A and B models:

defensenews.com/smr/hidden-tro…

And this story, by @AaronMehta , digs into a well known problem with the F-35's notorious logistics system:

defensenews.com/air/2019/06/12…