The F-35 Stealth Fighter Has a Real 'Upgrade' Problem That Is Hard to Shake

Summary and Top Points You Need to Know: The F-35 Lightning II, the most advanced combat aircraft today, has revolutionized air power with its multirole stealth capabilities. However, recent production and delivery issues have plagued the program, causing significant delays.

-Over 100 new F-35s are currently in storage, awaiting crucial TR-3 technology updates.

-These delays pose a potential national security threat if not resolved soon, as the F-35's capabilities are crucial for maintaining air superiority.

-The U.S. military and international partners eagerly await the resolution of these issues to deploy the aircraft fully.

The F-35 Challenge That Isn't Easy to Fix

The F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet is the most advanced combat aircraft in the skies today. Product of a multi-national partnership with the United States in the lead, the F-35 Lightning II has revolutionized air power, and countries around the world are flocking to add it to their arsenal.

However, the stealth fighter jet has been plagued lately with serious production and delivery problems. Although a solution looms at the end of the tunnel, the F-35 program is still under serious strain.

Delays and Deliveries

According to the latest data released by Lockheed Martin, deliveries continue to be stuck. For several months now, Lockheed Martin is producing aircraft that instead of getting delivered to the U.S. military or air forces around the world are getting stored in hangars. It is estimated that there are likely over 100 brand new F-35 fighter jets sitting and waiting for the final technological touches so that they can become operational.

The issue concerns the TR-3 technology update. Due to a lack of manpower and resources, Lockheed Martin has failed to deliver the software update that would make the F-35 more lethal and capable. And to make things worse, the major upcoming Block 4 upgrade that will allow the fighter jet to carry more advanced weapon systems and improve its overall capabilities needs the TR-3 software update to be in place. As such, the current delays have the potential to turn into a national security threat if the most capable fighter jet in the arsenal of the U.S. military falls behind the near-peer competition.

Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program Office have communicated that the TR-3 software update will be sorted out in the next few months. In the meantime, the U.S. military agreed to accept a limited version that will be delivered faster but will still need another update to be combat ready.  Congress, the U.S. military, and dozens of foreign allies and partners await the developments.

F-35 Fast Facts

As of July, F-35 fighter jets of all three types across the world have logged approximately 876,000 hours, with over 2,510 pilots qualified to fly the stealth fighter jet and about 16,300 maintainers trained to service it.

Today, 18 countries have become members of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, while several others are finalizing their bids to buy the combat aircraft and enter the partnership. The U.S. military is by far the largest customer of the F-35 Lightning II, with a combined order for 2,456 aircraft of all three types. In terms of operators, the U.S. Air Force has ordered 1,764 F-35A fighter jets, the U.S. Marine Corps 353 F-35B and 67 F-35C fighter jets, and the U.S. Navy 273 F-35C fighter jets. Overall, the total global F-35 order is over 3,500 aircraft of all three types.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation multirole stealth fighter jet that can conduct several mission sets. But what makes it particularly valuable on the battlefield is its ability to act as a “quarterback” of the skies, directing and coordinating friendly air, naval, and ground assets.

About the Author

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

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