F-35 Delivery Delays Continue as Lockheed Martin Lowers Outlook

The delivery of F-35 fighters upgraded with new capabilities, known as Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3), may be delayed until at least April 2024, and possibly as late as June 2024, according to the F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin. The TR-3 upgrades, which include improved displays, computer memory, and processing power, are necessary before a more extensive modernization effort, called Block 4, can be implemented. The delay could result in up to 150 F-35s being parked at Lockheed Martin facilities until they can be delivered. Issues with TR-3's hardware and software have caused the development to fall behind schedule, and the completion of the software remains a challenge. Lockheed Martin now expects to deliver 97 F-35s this year, all in the previous TR-2 configuration, instead of the originally planned 147 to 153 fighters.