Lockheed Martin has delivered two new F-35 fighter jets to the U.S. Air Force. This delivery is significant for the U.S. military, which has not received any new F-35s since 2023. This delivery comes after Lockheed Martin faced technology development issues in its F-35 Lightning II Program.
One of the new jets was delivered to Dannely Air Force Base in Alabama, and the other to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. The Pentagon had suspended the delivery process of the F-35 platform due to technology development issues. To address these issues and restart the delivery process, Lockheed Martin implemented the Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) modernization program.
General Michael J. Schmidt, Director of the F-35 Lightning II Program, stated that the TR-3 modernization program would be implemented in phases. Initially, trainer-capable aircraft are planned to be delivered in July and August. The process is expected to be completed by 2025, with fully TR-3 combat-capable F-35s delivered.
While it is noted that it will take 12 to 16 months for the U.S. military to reach operational capacity, Lockheed Martin will deliver the non-TR-3 upgraded versions to other platform customers during this period. However, it is estimated that at least 100 aircraft have been waiting in the hangar for the U.S. military, which has not received any new F-35s since 2023.
Lockheed Martin has also been supporting the Turkish Armed Forces with aircraft, helicopters, and security solutions for over 70 years.
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