US Armed Forces Receive 72 F-35 Fighters Upgraded with TR3 Digital Power to Challenge Air Defenses
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According to information published by Bloomberg News on July 15, 2025, Lockheed Martin has completed delivery of all 72 F-35 fighter jets that had been grounded at its production site in Fort Worth, Texas. These aircraft were held back for several months due to delays in finalizing critical software and hardware improvements known as Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3). This upgrade is intended to enhance the F-35’s capabilities through significant improvements to onboard systems, including upgraded displays and increased processing power, essential for supporting intensive training missions and full combat operations.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The F-35A Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter developed by Lockheed Martin for the US Air Force under the Joint Strike Fighter program (Picture source: US DoD)
The Pentagon had applied financial pressure by withholding up to $5 million per aircraft until Lockheed Martin demonstrated that the TR-3 upgrade was fully operational. In January, this withheld amount was reduced by $1.2 million per aircraft following observed progress. However, most of the funds remain blocked and will be released incrementally through 2026, even though some release criteria have already been met. These financial measures also apply to newly produced aircraft. The Government Accountability Office, responsible for overseeing federal expenditure, stated that maintaining this financial leverage is prudent until each aircraft is delivered with the complete TR-3 version. Jon Ludwigson, director for national security contracting at the GAO, emphasized that these delays have significantly complicated program management and slowed promised upgrades to the US armed forces. He also noted that several months will be needed to return the program to its original schedule.
The F-35A Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter developed by Lockheed Martin for the US Air Force under the Joint Strike Fighter program. Designed for conventional takeoff and landing operations, it performs air superiority, ground attack, electronic warfare, and ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) missions. Its stealth airframe, combined with the AN/APG-81 AESA radar and the EOTS optical system, enables it to detect and strike targets at long range while remaining difficult to detect. The Distributed Aperture System provides 360-degree threat detection, and the HMDS helmet projects critical information directly onto the pilot’s visor.
In terms of armament, the F-35A is equipped with an internal 20mm M61A2 Vulcan cannon and can carry internally AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, GBU-31 JDAM, GBU-39 SDB bombs, and AGM-88 HARM missiles, preserving its stealth profile. It also has external hardpoints to increase payload capacity, though at the expense of radar stealth. Powered by the Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engine, it can reach Mach 1.6 and an operational ceiling of 50,000 feet, with a combat range of approximately 1,380 miles. Its advanced electronic warfare and secure communication capabilities make it a key asset for modern air forces.
The delivery of these 72 aircraft represents a reputational milestone for Lockheed Martin as the F-35 program, the most expensive in military history, continues to face technical and budgetary challenges. The US Department of Defense has also reduced the number of F-35s ordered in the 2026 fiscal budget from 75 to 47 units for the Air Force, Navy, and Marines, citing rising costs related to maintenance and operational readiness. Lockheed Martin, which generates around 30% of its revenue from the F-35 program, declined to comment on these deliveries, being in a quiet period before the announcement of its second-quarter financial results.
Beyond the TR-3 issues, the F-35 program remains weakened by persistent structural shortcomings, particularly the chronic inability to accurately track spare parts and equipment inventories, which heavily impacts US military accounting, according to the Pentagon’s comptroller and inspector general. Despite the gradual release of withheld payments, Lockheed Martin still faces the challenge of stabilizing its production schedule and meeting the operational expectations of the US military and its allies.
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According to information published by Bloomberg News on July 15, 2025, Lockheed Martin has completed delivery of all 72 F-35 fighter jets that had been grounded at its production site in Fort Worth, Texas. These aircraft were held back for several months due to delays in finalizing critical software and hardware improvements known as Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3). This upgrade is intended to enhance the F-35’s capabilities through significant improvements to onboard systems, including upgraded displays and increased processing power, essential for supporting intensive training missions and full combat operations.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The F-35A Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter developed by Lockheed Martin for the US Air Force under the Joint Strike Fighter program (Picture source: US DoD)
The Pentagon had applied financial pressure by withholding up to $5 million per aircraft until Lockheed Martin demonstrated that the TR-3 upgrade was fully operational. In January, this withheld amount was reduced by $1.2 million per aircraft following observed progress. However, most of the funds remain blocked and will be released incrementally through 2026, even though some release criteria have already been met. These financial measures also apply to newly produced aircraft. The Government Accountability Office, responsible for overseeing federal expenditure, stated that maintaining this financial leverage is prudent until each aircraft is delivered with the complete TR-3 version. Jon Ludwigson, director for national security contracting at the GAO, emphasized that these delays have significantly complicated program management and slowed promised upgrades to the US armed forces. He also noted that several months will be needed to return the program to its original schedule.
The F-35A Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter developed by Lockheed Martin for the US Air Force under the Joint Strike Fighter program. Designed for conventional takeoff and landing operations, it performs air superiority, ground attack, electronic warfare, and ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) missions. Its stealth airframe, combined with the AN/APG-81 AESA radar and the EOTS optical system, enables it to detect and strike targets at long range while remaining difficult to detect. The Distributed Aperture System provides 360-degree threat detection, and the HMDS helmet projects critical information directly onto the pilot’s visor.
In terms of armament, the F-35A is equipped with an internal 20mm M61A2 Vulcan cannon and can carry internally AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, GBU-31 JDAM, GBU-39 SDB bombs, and AGM-88 HARM missiles, preserving its stealth profile. It also has external hardpoints to increase payload capacity, though at the expense of radar stealth. Powered by the Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engine, it can reach Mach 1.6 and an operational ceiling of 50,000 feet, with a combat range of approximately 1,380 miles. Its advanced electronic warfare and secure communication capabilities make it a key asset for modern air forces.
The delivery of these 72 aircraft represents a reputational milestone for Lockheed Martin as the F-35 program, the most expensive in military history, continues to face technical and budgetary challenges. The US Department of Defense has also reduced the number of F-35s ordered in the 2026 fiscal budget from 75 to 47 units for the Air Force, Navy, and Marines, citing rising costs related to maintenance and operational readiness. Lockheed Martin, which generates around 30% of its revenue from the F-35 program, declined to comment on these deliveries, being in a quiet period before the announcement of its second-quarter financial results.
Beyond the TR-3 issues, the F-35 program remains weakened by persistent structural shortcomings, particularly the chronic inability to accurately track spare parts and equipment inventories, which heavily impacts US military accounting, according to the Pentagon’s comptroller and inspector general. Despite the gradual release of withheld payments, Lockheed Martin still faces the challenge of stabilizing its production schedule and meeting the operational expectations of the US military and its allies.
