Defense News reports that “the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter test fleet will be able to fly six hours between engine inspections for weapon test and refueling missions, as restrictions on the fifth-generation fighter continue to ease.”  

“Previously, the entire F-35 fleet was limited to three hours of flight time before an engine inspection was required as an investigation continues into a fire that heavily damaged an F-35A model on June 23.”  

“The test fleet is made up of 20 F-35 fighters. The remaining 79 F-35s are still operating under the full restrictions.”