WBRZ - Baton Rouge

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon grounded its entire F-35 fighter jet fleet today after a cracked engine blade turned up during an inspection.

The Pentagon said the flaw was found at Edwards Air Force Base in California on an Air Force-issued F-35. There are other versions of the jet which are flown by the Navy and Marine Corps; all were grounded Friday under the Pentagon's order.

The F-35 is the Pentagon's most expensive weapons program, costing an estimated total of around $400 billion.

The Pentagon said the engine part was shipped to a facility in Connecticut for a more thorough inspection, and the jets will stay grounded until an investigation into what caused the crack is completed.

IMAGE: Wikipedia