Pentagon resumes accepting F-35 deliveries after year-long freeze

The Department of Defence has lifted its year-long freeze on receiving F-35 Joint Strike Fighter deliveries equipped with the upgraded TR-3 system from Lockheed Martin. 

This decision comes after a period during which numerous new jets were held back at Lockheed’s Fort Worth facility in Texas due to software issues, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

According to a joint statement from the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) and Lockheed, two F-35A fighters have been delivered — one to Dannelly Field in Alabama and another to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.

The freeze on deliveries, initially imposed in July 2023 due to persistent problems with the TR-3 upgrade, led to delays and increased costs. To facilitate the resumption of deliveries, an interim software fix has been implemented. While this allows for training activities, full combat capabilities are not expected to be enabled for at least another year.

During the delivery halt, Lockheed continued production of TR-3-equipped planes, resulting in a backlog of undisclosed size, potentially reaching up to 120 undelivered aircraft this year. Clearing this backlog is anticipated to take nearly a year, as highlighted in a Government Accountability Office report.

The resumption of deliveries is expected to ease concerns among F-35 customers, including the US Air Force, which has felt the impact of delayed deliveries on its operational readiness. Lt. Gen. Mike Schmidt, the JPO’s Program Executive Officer, emphasized a phased approach to delivery, aiming to provide stable and capable aircraft to customers.

Lockheed’s F-35 general manager, Bridget Lauderdale, reaffirmed the company's commitment to the TR-3 and Block 4 upgrades, essential for maintaining the F-35's effectiveness in future joint operations