![](/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg)
Triservice formation of US Air Force F-35A (lead), US Marine Corps F-35B, and US Navy F-35C. F-35s are being delivered with training-capable TR-3 software and hardware, but a full combat-capable version will not be delivered until 2025. (US Air Force)
Lockheed Martin is delivering F-35 Lightning IIs with a “robust” but not yet combat-capable version of the Technology Refresh-3 (TR-3) software, according to the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO), which administers acquisitions on behalf of the aircraft's customers.
The new software build marks an improvement over the TR-3 hardware and software load delivered starting in July, when the JPO resumed accepting aircraft following a year-long suspension. The improvements include updates to displays, added computer memory, and increased processing power, the JPO told Janes .
The JPO and Lockheed Martin said in a joint statement that they have “reached an agreement for the acceptance and delivery of TR-3-enabled aircraft with robust combat training capability. As part of the agreement, the JPO will withhold a portion of final aircraft delivery payments from Lockheed Martin until TR-3 combat capability is qualified and delivered”.
The JPO said that the withheld payments amount to approximately USD5 million per aircraft, which will be held back until a combat-ready version of TR-3 is delivered.
“Additionally, Lockheed Martin and its industry partners are making significant investments in development labs and digital infrastructure that benefit the F-35 enterprise's speed and agility in fielding capabilities to the most advanced and connected fighter jet,” the statement said.
Lockheed Martin declined to detail the investments.
Looking to read the full article?
Gain unlimited access to Janes news and more...