Summary Pentagon withholding final F-35 payment until TR-3 update completed TR-3 update includes better software, memory, displays for F-35 Lockheed resumes deliveries after compromise on TR-3, aims to produce 156 jets per year While the advanced F-35 Joint Strike Fighter deliveries may have resumed , the Pentagon is withholding the final $5 million payment for each aircraft. Lockheed will only get the final payment after it has completed the Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) update. Issues with the update caused the Pentagon to refuse delivery of the F-35 for a year, with over 100 F-35 jets left parked around Lockheed facilities .
A compromise was finally reached, and Lockheed has resumed deliveries. Pentagon to withhold final F-35 payment The Pentagon is now taking delivery of the F-35 without the TR-3 fully completed. On Thursday, the F-35 Joint Program Office stated that Lockheed must complete the TR-3 for these jets before receiving the final $5 million.
It is likely to take months for the issue to be resolved. Breaking Defense notes, " TR-3 jets delivered for now are reserved for training, and a subsequent software patch expected to enable full combat capability is anticipated next year — though the exact figure for the withholdings was not clear. " "We have coordinated the terms and conditions with Lockheed Martin.
As a portion of the agreement, approximately $5 million per aircraft is being withheld and will be released as combat capability is delivered." - F-35 Joint Program Office spokesman TR-3 includes software and hardware improvements with better computer memory, better displays, and greater processing power (F-35s may have more in common with a computer than a WW2-era fighter). Lockheed stated in July that, due to the delivery pause, it would take between 12 and 18 months to deliver the many F-35s parked around its premises.
Export countries like Denmark also take delivery of F-35s without the TR-3 completed so they don't fall behind in their transition from F-16 jets. It is unclear if Denmark and other countries are likewise withholding any payments. The F-35 program constitutes 27% of Lockheed's sales.
In 2024, the world will produce over 500 advanced fighter jets, more than half of which will be 4th—or 4.5th-generation fighters. Lockheed continues to produce and deliver F-35s Lockheed recently announced that it had delivered the 1,000th F-35 fighter jet.
The company is expected to produce them at a stable rate of 156 jets per year, although production delays are likely to see only 75 to 110 F-35s produced in 2024. According to Reuters , CEO Jim Taiclet stated in July, " The F-35 remains a top priority, and we recently delivered the first TR-3 configured aircraft to the customer and anticipate deliveries for 2024 to meet our expected range of 75-110 F-35s ." Separately, Lockheed has just rolled out the first of 32 F-35As destined for Poland.
Poland is rapidly rearming due to the Russian invasion of neighboring Ukraine. It has also purchased 48 South Korean KAI T-50 Golden Eagle light multirole fighters (partly because they could be delivered much quicker)..
