The Department of Defense resumed accepting F-35 Joint Strike Fighter deliveries today with updated systems from prime contractor Lockheed Martin, marking the end of a year-long freeze. During this freeze, a growing number of new production jets had been stuck on the ground at Lockheed’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas.
Two F-35A fighters were delivered, one to Dannelly Field in Alabama and the other to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, as stated in a joint announcement from the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) and Lockheed.
The pause in deliveries was initiated in July 2023 due to software issues related to an upgrade called Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3). The troubles with TR-3 led to the development of an interim software fix that allowed deliveries to resume.
Recent reports indicated that the first deliveries were anticipated this week following the unfreezing, marking a significant step for the JSF program in reintroducing its TR-3 tech refresh effort.
TR-3, which includes enhancements like a more powerful processor and increased memory, forms the foundation for upcoming upgrades known as Block 4. However, TR-3 has faced delays and cost escalation, running over budget by approximately $1 billion.
Under the new delivery plan, aircraft will be provided with interim software for training purposes. The software update enabling combat capabilities is expected to be ready in at least a year.
Throughout the delivery halt, Lockheed continued manufacturing planes equipped with TR-3, storing them until the deliveries resumed. The exact number of jets awaiting delivery is uncertain, with potential estimates of up to 120 planes designated as „undelivered” this year.
As deliveries restart, efforts to clear the backlog are underway and may take nearly a year to complete, according to a previous report by the Government Accountability Office.
Amid the delivery pause, the Pentagon withheld $7 million for each new aircraft. The frozen deliveries caused difficulties for F-35 customers, such as Denmark contemplating the return of F-35s for pilot training. The US Air Force, a significant F-35 customer, also faced challenges due to the lack of new stealth fighters.
The resumption of deliveries is likely to be well-received by both the US and its F-35 partners. Lt. Gen. Mike Schmidt from the JPO emphasized a phased delivery approach in the statement, aiming to provide stable, capable, and maintainable aircraft to customers.
Lockheed’s F-35 general manager, Bridget Lauderdale, highlighted the importance of TR-3 and Block 4 in enhancing capability and reaffirmed the commitment to further software updates to maintain the F-35’s effectiveness as a critical asset for joint all-domain operations now and in the future.
