The F-35 Is Making a 'Comeback' (As In New Jets Headed to U.S. Military)

Summary and Key Points: Lockheed Martin has resumed deliveries of the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter after overcoming issues with the TR-3 software updates. The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) announced a phased delivery approach, starting with aircraft having initial training capabilities and progressing to robust combat training capabilities by the end of August.

The TR-3 update is crucial for the forthcoming Block 4 upgrade, enhancing the aircraft’s capabilities and allowing it to carry additional weapon systems.

Over 100 aircraft awaiting updates in storage hangars will now be delivered. This resumption marks significant progress for the F-35 program.

Lockheed Martin Resumes F-35 Deliveries After Overcoming TR-3 Software Issues

After many months of frustration and delays, Lockheed Martin has resumed deliveries of the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter.

The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) announced that longtime issues with the TR-3 software updates have been overcome and that the stealth aircraft is once more getting delivered.

F-35 Lightning II Deliveries Resume

“We have initiated a phased approach to the delivery of TR-3 F-35 aircraft,” Lieutenant General Mike Schmidt, the JPO’s program executive officer, said in a press release.

“The first phase will deliver jets with an initial training capability in July and August. By the end of August, we will be delivering jets with a robust combat training capability, as we continue towards the delivery of full TR-3 combat capabilities in 2025. Our focus has been on providing our customers with aircraft that are stable, capable, and maintainable, and this phased approach does that,” Schmidt added.

This is a compromise among the JPO, Lockheed Martin, and the military customers. The aircraft that are going to be delivered will require further software updates to be combat-ready. But in order to get the process moving, the different parties reached a compromise to start delivering aircraft with a limited version of the TR-3 update that can be updated in the future.

The TR-3 software update is quite important because it will enhance the aircraft’s capabilities and make it more competitive in a near-peer operational environment. Moreover, the update is necessary for the upcoming Block 4 upgrade to work; the Block 4 upgrade will allow the F-35 Lightning II to carry additional weapon systems and further increase its advanced capabilities.

“TR-3 and Block 4 represent a critical evolution in capability and their full development remains a top priority for us,” said Bridget Lauderdale, vice president and general manager of the F-35 Program at Lockheed Martin.

“These and further software updates over the life of the program will ensure the F-35 continues to be an effective deterrent and the cornerstone of joint all-domain operations now and decades into the future,” she added.

Here at The National Interest, we have closely followed the saga around the TR-3 software update and the operational and national security consequences of delaying deliveries of America’s most advanced fighter. For several months, Lockheed Martin has been producing F-35 stealth fighter jets that, instead of getting delivered to the U.S. military or several other foreign customers, were forced to sit in storage hangars, waiting for the key TR-3 software update. Although the exact number of F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets stored in hangars remains classified, it is estimated that over 100 aircraft will need to be updated before they join the operational fleet.

“I am extremely proud of all the hard work the government and industry team have put into the delivery of TR-3 configured F-35s. This is an important first step, and although much work remains, I am confident our team will work tirelessly to achieve the desired and necessary results that our warfighters, allies and customers require.” Schmidt said.

About the Author 

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from Johns Hopkins University and an MA from Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.

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