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The US Air Force (USAF) is reportedly set to continue the weight restrictions placed on F-35 pilots until 2018.

The decision follows ejector seat manufacturer Martin-Baker’s request for additional time to conduct further testing on the ejector seat safety features in the fighters, reported Defense Industry Daily.

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Air Force spokesman lieutenant colonel Christopher Karns was quoted by DefenseNews as saying: "The [joint programme office] is working to accelerate the timeline for fixes and a lot of energy will be applied to ensuring this issue is resolved in 2017.

"However, getting this right is the top priority."

The F-35 aircraft is a fifth generation fighter powered with advanced stealth, fighter speed and agility, advanced mission systems, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment.

International partners in the JSF programme include the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Australia, Singapore, and Israel.

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"The [joint programme office] is working to accelerate the timeline for fixes and a lot of energy will be applied to ensuring this issue is resolved in 2017."

Lockheed Martin, as the prime contractor, manufactures the forward fuselage and wings of the F-35 aircraft, and is also responsible for its final assembly.

Northrop Grumman manufactures the centre-fuselage, and BAE Systems the aft fuselage and tails. Pratt & Whitney is the prime contractor for the F-35’s engine.

The multirole fighter combines stealth, agility and advanced technologies to provide the pilot with situational awareness, lethality and survivability.

They will replace the F-16 and A-10 fleet of the US Air Force and complement the F/A-22.

Image: An F-35 prototype. Photo courtesy of US federal government / Wikipedia.