US investigating Honeywell over Chinese F-35 parts

The Justice Department is investigating export and import procedures at Honeywell in response to the contractor using Chinese-made parts in F-35 components, Reuters reports.

{mosads}The wire service reported last week that the Pentagon had waived laws banning Chinese materials in U.S. weapons for the F-35 fighter for parts supplied by Honeywell, including magnets and thermal sensors.

The exact nature of the investigation was not confirmed. But federal agents from the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) are involved, suggesting the investigation may be looking at whether Honeywell violated the Arms Control Export Act by sending overseas items on the U.S. munitions list without obtaining a license first, according to Reuters.