First upgraded F-35s won't be ready for combat until next year
The F-35 upgrades known as Technology Refresh 3 are now a year overdue and have halted deliveries of the newest fighter jets from Lockheed Martin.
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The F-35 upgrades known as Technology Refresh 3 are now a year overdue and have halted deliveries of the newest fighter jets from Lockheed Martin.
Officials in Warsaw want the first jets as soon as possible, as defense leaders in Rome have their eyes on new capabilities provided by the latest update.
The United States Department of Defense (DoD) has refused to accept newly built F-35s due to problems with the software, and the resolution has slipped several times from the expected April 2023 release date. TR-3 is now projected to be completed sometime this summer – but not earlier than July, and possibly as late as September.
The Air Force cut its planned F-35 and F-15EX purchases in 2025 by six apiece due to budgetary constraints, as well as delays to F-35 upgrades.
The Air Force cut its planned F-35 and F-15EX purchases in 2025 by six apiece due to budgetary constraints, as well as delays to F-35 upgrades.