Lockheed Martin to finish year with F-35 sales much below projections

Lockheed Martin, the US military contractor, anticipates delivering 97 F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters in 2023 due to ongoing delays in certifying a new flight-control computer, marking a significant decrease from the 141 aircraft shipped in 2022.

This reduction, however, is not due to production challenges, as F-35 production remains aligned with company goals, with a production rate of 156 per year while efforts continue to finalize the TR-3 software development and testing, Flight Global reported.

TR-3, or Technical Refresh-3, encompasses enhancements to the F-35, such as a more powerful on-board computer processor and control software, which are crucial for the upcoming Block 4 production variant, offering enhanced capabilities in weaponry, communications, and onboard sensors.

Lockheed has faced delays in certifying the TR-3 package, primarily due to issues at sub-contractor L3Harris, resulting in both the Pentagon and some international customers deferring acceptance of F-35s in the TR-3 configuration until full airworthiness approval is secured.

Despite initial delivery estimates ranging from 100 to 125 F-35s, the current expectation remains at 97 due to the ongoing certification challenges.