The head of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, Lt. Gen. Mike Schmidt, approved a plan to accept the newest jets with a partial version of its latest software, TR-3, after a year-long pause. This decision came after consulting with military services, pilots, maintainers, industry, and the executive steering board overseeing the F-35 program. TR-3 upgrades displays, computer memory, and processing power needed for Block 4 modernization for carrying more weapons.
Lockheed Martin faced challenges with software integration and delays in critical hardware components for the TR-3 jets, causing further delays. The first F-35s with TR-3 started production in Fort Worth, Texas, last July, but deliveries were refused by the Defense Department. A “truncated” solution was considered to upload a partial TR-3 software version for acceptance flights, even if not all missions could be carried out.
Lockheed Martin’s CEO stated that these jets, post-delivery, would not be able to fly combat missions until 2025 and would be initially used for training flights. The F-35 JPO announced that deliveries would resume soon, without specifying a date. Air Combat Command chief Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach mentioned that deliveries could potentially start this month.
