F-35B Bulkhead Fixed, Says Lockheed

Lockheed Martin says it has come up with a solution to one of the problems plaguing the short-takeoff vertical-landing (STOVL) variant called the F-35B, Defense News reports.

Engineers have finished redesigning an aluminum bulkhead located where the aircraft's main landing gear attaches to the airframe, said Lockheed officials.

Cracks were found in the bulkhead after ground tests.

Last week, Defense Secretary Robert Gates put the program on a two-year probation to fix its...