First upgraded F-35s won’t be ready for combat until next year

[rangerrebew]

First upgraded F-35s won’t be ready for combat until next year
By Stephen Losey
 Apr 23, 02:33 PM
 
The first F-35s to be delivered with a set of upgrades known as Technology Refresh 3 will initially be used for training flights, but will not be ready for combat until 2025, Lockheed Martin said in an earnings call Tuesday.

Lockheed chief executive Jim Taiclet told investors the company is focused on fully implementing TR-3 — a set of upgrades to the F-35′s software and hardware, including better displays, computer memory and contracting power — and has made progress in recent months.


But TR-3 is already a year overdue, and is not likely to be ready until at least the third quarter of 2024. Lockheed Martin is still building F-35s intended to have TR-3, but since last summer the government has refused to accept delivery of those jets without the upgrades.

https://www.defensenews.com/air/2024/04/23/first-upgraded-f-35s-wont-be-ready-for-combat-until-next-year/

[rangerrebew]

When will they be ready next year?

[PeteS in CA]

The first F-35s to be delivered with a set of upgrades known as Technology Refresh 3 will initially be used for training flights, but will not be ready for combat until 2025, Lockheed Martin said in an earnings call Tuesday.

Lockheed chief executive Jim Taiclet told investors the company is focused on fully implementing TR-3 — a set of upgrades to the F-35′s software and hardware, including better displays, computer memory and contracting power — and has made progress in recent months.

Significant changes to the hardware and software will require several months for pilots to learn how to use the new features? And the first upgraded F-35s will be used, at first, for that training?
[Sarcasm] Who could have foreseen that? [/Sarcasm]