Lockheed Martin officials reported during a first-quarter earnings conference on April 23 that deliveries of fully equipped F-35s equipped with Tech Refresh Three, previously expected in the middle of this year, will now occur in 2025. In the meantime, they hope to offer a so-called “truncated” version of the hardware/software package this fall.
CEO Jim Taiclet said the TR-3 will be released in two versions. A “combat-trainable” version is expected to be delivered in the third quarter of this year, and a “fully combat-ready” version is expected to arrive in 2025. The newly built F-35, equipped with the TR-3, is awaiting completion of testing and integration. About 70 aircraft are being stored at an undisclosed location, awaiting the green light for delivery.
The Joint Program Secretariat has said for several months that it has been discussing the release of a “truncated” TR-3 package to resume deliveries and prevent further disruption to the forces of many countries awaiting F. Ta. -35 seconds.
The delay is due to supply chain issues with TR-3 components and continued testing of the configuration, which consists of processors and software packages and other new equipment that will support the international fighter’s F-35 Block 4 upgrade. .
“We’re squeezing all the software through all the new hardware and integrating it into all the aircraft,” Taiclet said, “which is taking longer than the team expected.”
Meanwhile, the F-35 program office says the Block 4 program will be “reconsidered” and many of its planned capabilities will be deferred into the 2030s.
As a result of testing and supply delays, Taiclet said the F-35 delivery target for calendar year 2024 would be only 75 to 110 aircraft, compared to 156. He noted that even the more modest schedule is predicated on “timely receipt” of parts.
Taiclet said the F-35 program is highly concurrent, with “development, production and sustainment” all happening at the same time, which can lead to bottlenecks.
“We are bringing together all relevant internal resources and working closely with our customers and suppliers to fully implement the TR-3 features that everyone is looking forward to having.” He said.
He said the system’s stability has improved from previous software versions to a “combat-trainable configuration,” and flight testing of this configuration is currently underway. Lockheed is “maturing the system with approximately 95 percent of the TR-3’s capabilities in this flight test program,” Taiclet added, adding that “we are continuing to develop the system to support additional capabilities beyond the Block 4 program.” We are currently updating the software.”
The reduced capacity means that Lockheed Martin will be able to “get these jets into the hands of squadrons, wings, and regional commanders so they can start training pilots and training maintenance organizations. It also means that you will have access to basic infrastructure, spare parts, tools, etc. other than that. ” The final software load for this release is expected to be available “in the coming months.” However, he insisted that these jets “can be deployed for actual combat operations” if necessary.
JPO says Release 1 will be called 40P01 and will be released “when the code is stable and maintainable to deliver aircraft in the TR-3 configuration for use in combat training,” but will not be complete. He stated that its combat capabilities will only be demonstrated in Release 2 (40P02). noticed.
“F-35 partners and other ‘stakeholders’ have approved the TR-3 truncation acceptance criteria,” the JPO said.
Once the TR-3 is fully delivered, users will already be familiar with the “operational patterns and procedures of how to actually fly a jet in combat,” Taiclet said.
He noted that despite the TR-3’s delays, the F-35 continues to sell well. The Czech Republic recently became the 18th country to purchase the jet, and the United States has agreed to sell additional jets to Singapore.
Lockheed needs to “rethink” the entire Block 4 program from a supply and supply standpoint, F-35 program executive officer Michael Schmidt told the House Armed Services Committee Tactical Aviation Committee on April 16. I believe this is in line with the lieutenant general’s thoughts. Testing delays and changing requirements.
In a 25-page testimony prepared for the hearing, which closed shortly after it began, Schmidt said that the F-35’s “technology baseline review” would not allow “many Block 4 capabilities to be developed by 2030 due to technical complexity.” We assessed that it would not be possible until the 2000s.” software efficiency, human and financial resources, flight test capabilities, laboratory quality and capacity, and lack of defined requirements. ”
The Government Accountability Office has repeatedly urged Congress to separate Block 4 from the overall F-35 program and make it a major acquisition program in its own right. Due to cost and complexity, it is better to highlight the problem. Schmidt said the JPO plans to create its “subprogram” next year.
“It took too long to deliver the TR-3,” Schmidt admitted to a House committee.
He explained that the TR-3’s hardware design is not yet fully mature, which is a “significant complicating factor in software integration.” The result is “low manufacturing yields for the parts needed to manufacture aircraft.” The result was “using software to overcome hardware design maturity challenges.” An independent review of the software architecture concluded, “While we have a solid software architecture, the F-35 program will continue to struggle with software integration efficiency until the underlying hardware is fully mature.” It turned out to be.”
Taiclet said there was a silver lining to the situation and that the company would gradually “increase its capabilities every few years” as it adapted to imposed program changes. He noted that the Department of Defense recently extended the expected service life of the aircraft.
Lockheed Chief Financial Officer Jay Malabe said the two-phase TR-3 release will reduce the number of aircraft Lockheed has to store and “allow us to get production on track here in 2024.” said.
Malabe also noted that extending the TR-3 release into two releases could hurt the profitability of lots 15-17, given that the timing of deliveries impacts progress and incentive fees. admitted.
Lockheed is working on “vulnerability mitigation” efforts with the F-35’s supplier base to secure multiple vendors for parts and components, Taiclet said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has “highlighted the need for a second, perhaps even third, source of supply and geographic diversity…even if supplies increase and prices rise… “Having one source of supply is probably not the best idea,” he said.
For example, the F-35’s canopy supply is “one of our big deterioration factors,” Taiclet said, suggesting the company relies on only one supplier for that element.
In his prepared HASC testimony, Schmidt said the JPO is working to reduce program concurrency and that the “reimagined” Block 4 will include “a rigorous assessment of the technical maturity and readiness of hardware and software.” We have established a Capability Determination Point (CDP) to For introduction into the production lot of F-35 aircraft. ”
He said the reimagined upgrade includes improvements to 88 “must-have” capabilities, including “capabilities common to electronic warfare.” Communication, navigation and identification. Sustainment,” new weapons for partners, U.S. military-unique weapons, and “partner-specific capabilities.”
Block 4 needs to consist of “what the industry can actually deliver,” Schmidt said.
