Image source: topwar.ru
Starting next month, deliveries to the Pentagon of multifunctional F-35 Lightning II fighters will be suspended, writes the American magazine Defense News. As the newspaper notes, this measure was forced due to delays associated with the modernization of this combat aircraft. The main reason is the problems faced by specialists when implementing the necessary software (software).
Thus, these military aircraft will not be able to undergo the modernization of Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) this year, which means that the resumption of their deliveries may begin no earlier than the spring of 2024, follows from the data of the Office for the Development of Joint Programs (Joint Program Office or JPO). For this reason, their manufacturing company Lockheed Martin will have to "hold" dozens of units of this equipment at its main aircraft plant located in Fort Worth, Texas.
In this context, it is worth noting that Technology Refresh 3 acts as a critical upgrade of the F-35 computing electronics. Thanks to this upgrade, the aircraft will have a better display, more memory, as well as improved data processing capabilities. This step is extremely necessary before the aircraft undergoes a more expensive upgrade called "Block 4". It is she who will allow him to carry longer-range missiles, increase the effectiveness of electronic warfare (EW), as well as more effectively recognize targets. These improvements will affect all versions of the fighter, such as the F-35A, F-35B and F-35C.
At the same time, the JPO management noted the day before, the US Department of Defense will continue to receive fighters, with the presence of the previous version of the software and equipment Technology Refresh 2 in them.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the aforementioned military-industrial corporation has already announced that, as part of its contractual obligations, it will supply the Pentagon with the first F-35 with the Technology Refresh 3 system built into it.
– Defense News magazine quotes the words of one of the representatives of Lockheed Martin.
By the way, initially the largest American defense concern planned to deliver about 150 such fighters this year. According to the company, only about a third of their planned volume has been delivered, while more than 50 units of the F-35 TR-2 are currently in production.
