More than 80 F-35 fighter jets remain in “suspended condition” as the US Department of Defense refuses to accept them into service until a new stage of testing. This publication reports Defense One.
It is known that deliveries of new F-35s are at best suspended until December. The worst case scenario assumes that the fighters will not enter service until April 2024.
Thus, Lockheed Martin will have to abandon 45 aircraft if the delay lasts until December, and already from 81 aircraft if it lasts until April.
See also: F-35 fighter jet to be repaired for $76 million after collision with an eagle
The current contract provides for the delivery of nine aircraft per month, taking into account technical modernization. The Pentagon is updating several technologies in its fleet of F-35 aircraft, known as the Block 4.
But before the planes get the upgrade, they need a series of hardware and software upgrades. These improvements, known as Technology Refresh 3, are already one year behind schedule.
Starting later this summer, the F-35s that roll off the assembly line with the TR-3 update will not enter service until their combat capabilities have been confirmed.
Earlier it was reported that the United States had decided on the possible sale of F-35 aircraft, ammunition and related equipment to the Czech Republic at an estimated cost of up to $5.62 billion.
2023-07-01 13:16:28
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