Echnology Refresh 3 News Today

If the F-35 upgrades known as Technology Refresh 3 aren't ready for deliveries to resume in the third quarter, Lockheed said it may slow down production.

“The hardware is good,” Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt said. “It’s the rate at which they’re producing them to meet our production and retrofit needs."

The congressman also worries the latest TR-3 deadline of mid-2024 could slip further: “I want to be positive, but call me skeptical."

The first TR-3 F-35's initial checkout flight comes as the Joint Program Office hunts for a way to accelerate deliveries, perhaps using interim software.

The first TR-3 F-35's initial checkout flight comes as the Joint Program Office hunts for a way to accelerate deliveries, perhaps using interim software.

This will be the F-35's third delivery halt in less than a year, and dozens of newly-constructed aircraft could be affected.

“We currently are paying for a great capability, but we’re currently only getting a good capability fielded,” subcommittee chairman Rep. Rob Wittman said.