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Lockheed Martin declares F-35 TR-3 upgrade ready, awaits Pentagon green light

Lockheed Martin announced at the Paris Air Show that its long-delayed Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) upgrade for the F-35 fighter jet is ready, marking a significant milestone for the Pentagon’s costliest defense program. However, final government approval remains pending before full deployment, according to Defense One.

JR McDonald, Lockheed’s vice president for F-35 business development, told reporters the company has stabilized the system for consistent pilot use and believes only one issue still requires government sign-off for “combat capable” status. The company did not reveal details of the remaining hurdle.

Originally slated for delivery in April 2023, TR-3 has faced over two years of software and hardware delays, forcing the Pentagon to halt F-35 deliveries for a year. Deliveries resumed in July 2024 with “truncated” TR-3 versions, and the Pentagon withheld payments from Lockheed to incentivize completion.

TR-3 is crucial for the next phase—Block 4—introducing advanced sensors, weapons, and computing power. However, persistent setbacks have led to a rethink on which Block 4 features are achievable within current cost and schedule constraints. GAO notes modernization costs for the F-35 have ballooned, and some improvements have now been pushed into the 2030s.

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