Delays in Key Upgrade Stall F-35 Fighter Jet Deliveries

Newly built F-35 Joint Strike Fighters face prolonged delays as a critical upgrade, Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3), remains incomplete at Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth facility in Texas. The TR-3, set to enhance the F-35's capabilities with improved displays, computer memory, and processing power, has encountered persistent software issues, notably in its integration into the new hardware. Initially slated for completion in April 2023, this vital upgrade is now expected to be ready between April and June 2024 due to repeated setbacks.

While F-35s equipped with TR-3 hardware commenced production in late July, their deliveries have been withheld by the government as they cannot undergo necessary acceptance flights. Consequently, an undisclosed number of F-35s are stored at Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth site.

Efforts by the F-35 Joint Program Office to resume acceptance flights and deliveries prior to TR-3's full completion involve the potential implementation of early, albeit incomplete, versions of TR-3 software into new F-35s. However, it is anticipated that these provisional software versions would require subsequent updates to unlock their full capabilities.

The delivery delay may impact Air Force units transitioning from other aircraft, affecting their receipt of promised F-35s and potentially hindering the Air Force's global force management.

Additionally, forthcoming decisions and developments for the F-35 program include the transition to full-rate production in early 2024, pending years behind schedule, and upgrades to the existing F135 engines under the Engine Core Upgrade program, expected to commence in early 2029. These engine upgrades aim to equip the F-35 with enhanced power and cooling capacity in preparation for the Block 4 modernization of the aircraft.