Asbestos was incorporated in many parts of U.S. military aircraft and led to many veterans being diagnosed with serious illnesses. The brake systems, engine heat shields, gaskets, electrical wire insulation, and cargo bays of the C-130 Hercules, SR-71 Blackbird, F4 Phantom II, P-38 Lightning, B-52 Superfortress, and UH-1 Huey were all known to be contaminated with asbestos. This put anybody exposed to these aircraft — and particularly those responsible for maintaining or repairing it — at risk.
When did the U.S. Military Use Asbestos on its Aircraft?
Asbestos has been in use for centuries, but the U.S. military considered it an invaluable asset in protecting its equipment and personnel from the 1930s through the 1970s. The material offered many benefits, including being strong, fire-resistant, and cheap to mine and manufacture. According to the Safety Office of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, even aircraft that came from their original manufacturers free of asbestos had asbestos-containing parts installed during routine maintenance and repairs.[1]
Why Did the U.S. Military Want Asbestos Included in its Aircraft?
The U.S. military’s interest in using asbestos expanded dramatically in response to World War II. The material’s fire resistance made it particularly useful for wartime applications, including aircraft production. The Air Force incorporated it in aircraft insulation and in the composition of other materials that needed to be heat resistant, or that protected the crew and equipment. Asbestos-containing military aircraft parts included the lining of engine compartments, cockpits, and cargo holds, as well as fireproof blankets that were woven with asbestos and used to protect against fire. Asbestos was also used on friction-absorbing and heat-producing parts, including brake pads, gaskets, and electrical systems.[2]
There are several reasons why asbestos was so prized in aircraft construction and parts. These include:
- It provides insulation against heat and flame
- It is inexpensive and accessible
- It is flexible and easily used in a variety of applications
How Did Asbestos on Military Aircraft Cause Exposure?
Asbestos-containing parts and materials pose little risk when they are new and intact, but when they are damaged by heat or fire, friction, or by being manipulated during installation, repairs, or removal, microscopic particles can be released and inhaled by anybody in their immediate vicinity. They can also adhere to hair, skin, and clothing and be carried into other areas, including barracks, mess halls, and the homes of service members and civilian contractors. This is known as secondary asbestos exposure.
Where Were Asbestos-Containing Materials on Military Aircraft?
Asbestos was incorporated in multiple parts and materials found throughout military aircraft. It was used in nearly every section of planes, in both parts and supplies, including:
- Brakes pads, brake lining, and brake shoes. These parts incorporated asbestos because it added durability, helping prevent them from wearing out, and flexibility, keeping them from cracking.
- Fireproofing and safety gear. Asbestos was woven into textiles and paneling used for fireproofing and safety gear, including asbestos blankets and asbestos gloves worn by mechanics and others who worked with hot engine parts.
- Insulation. Nearly every type of insulation used by the military in the years between 1930 and 1980 was made from asbestos. This included the engine compartment, cockpit, and cargo hold linings.
- Electrical systems. Asbestos was included in wire insulation and cable coatings to prevent them from overheating, as well as in shielding components, arc chutes, and bases, which were made from asbestos cement.
- Adhesives and sealants. Many adhesives and sealants made in the years before 1980 included asbestos.
- Asbestos gaskets. These were largely found in engines and would frequently break down and need to be replaced.
Which Air Force and Navy Personnel Had the Highest Risk of Asbestos Exposure from Aircraft?
From construction to repairs to actually flying the plane, aircraft are complex vehicles, and the asbestos that is part of their parts and supplies puts individuals in many occupations at risk of exposure, including:
- Aircraft mechanics, who repair planes, including maintaining and replacing brakes, engine parts, insulation, and more.
- Aerospace engineers, who retrofit planes for revised purposes.
- Air Force and Navy pilots who may have flown in cockpits where asbestos fibers may have been released.
- Electrical installers and repairers
- Insulation installers
- Machinists
Aircraft that Contained Asbestos
Though not every aircraft used by the Air Force or Navy was manufactured using asbestos-containing parts, at some point, most ended up with asbestos-containing replacement parts or supplies installed. The aircraft that are known to have originally included asbestos-containing parts were:
- C-130 Hercules made by Lockheed Martin. Originally designed for service in 1951, it is used by the U.S. Air Force and is the prime transport for airdropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. It remains in service.[3]
- SR-71 Blackbird made by Lockheed Martin. First used in 1964, the Blackbird was a long-range, advanced, strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed from the Lockheed A-12 and YF-12A aircraft. It was in service until 1990.[4]
- F4 Phantom II made by McDonnell Douglas. First flown in 1963, the Phantom was designed for U.S. Navy fleet defense. Production ended in 1979.[5]
- P-38 Lightning made by Lockheed Martin’s first service test was in 1939, and major production began in 1941. It was designed as an advanced, high-performance twin-engine interceptor and was the standard USAAF fighter in the Pacific theater until the closing months of WWII. They were used through the 1950s.[6]
- B-29 Superfortress, made by Boeing, was designed in 1940 and made its maiden flight in 1942. It was capable of long over-water flights and remained effective against several types of targets during World War II and through the Korean War [7]
- UH-1 Huey was a multipurpose utility helicopter made by Bell Helicopter. It was developed in the mid-1950s and used primarily for troop and cargo transport, medical evacuations, and aerial attacks. Hueys have served all branches of the U.S. military, as well as multiple U.S. government agencies and at least 48 foreign countries. Many Hueys are still in use today.[8]
Do Military Aircraft Still Contain Asbestos?
The military and the defense contractors who supplied it stopped using asbestos in the 1980s, so no new aircraft risk asbestos exposure among military or civilian personnel. There may still be asbestos in parts or materials sourced from outside of the United States or legacy asbestos remaining in older planes where the toxic material was originally installed or in replacement parts or supplies.
Are Military Service Members Still at Risk of Asbestos Exposure?
Though aircraft used by the military are no longer being made with asbestos, there is still a risk of asbestos exposure from legacy asbestos in asbestos-containing parts that may have been installed in aircraft decades ago and have remained in use for years. There is also the risk of asbestos in parts and supplies being sourced from countries where asbestos is still in use.
U.S. Military Members’ Risk of Mesothelioma
When people sign up for the military, they do so with the tacit understanding that they may be asked to put their lives at risk in service of the interests of the United States. However, few anticipate that those risks will come from exposure to carcinogenic materials in the equipment that they work with.
Veterans face the risk of exposure to multiple toxic materials over their years of service, but few have had the impact that asbestos has. Asbestos exposure has been directly linked to multiple serious diseases, including malignant mesothelioma, the rare and deadly form of cancer that claims approximately 3,000 lives in the United States each year. Of that number, roughly 30% are veterans.[9]
Though the military’s use of asbestos was most prevalent in the years immediately surrounding World War II, it continued through the 1980s, and the asbestos that was used remained in place for years afterward. With mesothelioma having a latency period of fifty to sixty years between the time of exposure and the time that symptoms appear, there is still a strong potential for those who served decades ago to be diagnosed at some point in the future. Aircraft mechanics and others who worked with or flew on military aircraft are at high risk.
Resources for Veterans Exposed to Asbestos In Military Aircraft
Countless veterans were exposed to asbestos during the years that they served. The years that they invested in service to the United States entitled them to special military benefits that may be of particular use to those diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. VA benefits include eligibility for specialized treatment through any of the VA’s medical centers, disability compensation, dependent benefits, and more.
Options for Those Exposed to Asbestos from Military Aircraft
In addition to special military benefits available to veterans, if you have been sickened by exposure to asbestos from military aircraft, you have several options available. These include filing a personal injury lawsuit against the manufacturers of asbestos-containing materials that contributed to your illness or filing a claim against asbestos trust funds established by companies that filed for bankruptcy protection in the face of significant asbestos liabilities.
If you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease after exposure to asbestos from military aircraft, one of the best places to start is meeting with an experienced asbestos attorney. These professionals have extensive information on the different asbestos-containing materials that the military has used over the years. After meeting with you and discussing your work or service history, they will be able to identify all of the companies that may have liability for your illness. They’ll be able to explain all of your options, what you can expect from filing a lawsuit or claim, and the deadlines for taking action seeking compensation.
If you believe you’ve been exposed to asbestos but have not experienced any symptoms of an asbestos-related disease, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the risks you face and notify your healthcare professional of your history of exposure. Asbestos-related diseases are rare, and many are very difficult to diagnose. By letting your doctor know that you’ve been exposed to the toxic mineral, you put them on notice that asbestos-related diseases should be included when considering any future symptoms, thus ensuring a quicker diagnosis and quicker path to treatment.
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