F-35 deliveries to resume immediately

[Alf]

The Pentagon announced on 11th July that the block on delivery of new F-35 will be lifted immediately with an interim version of the TR-3 software being approved. Bloomberg report the first delivery could be as soon as next week.

So Lakenheath might see some of the 13 F-35A that are complete at Fort Worth soon?

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... eople-says

https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing ... .%E2%80%9D

[Unknown74]

Are the RAF/RN due to receive any more does anyone know?

[RubyRoo]

Are the RAF/RN due to receive any more does anyone know?

13 more, all of them to the TR-3 build.

ZM170 and ZM171 have already flown and are awaiting delivery.

Original delivery schedule had all 48 aircraft (minus the ones with 17 squadron in the US) all delivered before end of 2025 but with the Covid + TR-3 delays I suspect it'll be 2026/27 before Marham has their full complement.

[slogen51]

From some media reports the "truncation" plan is good for training but not combat

'Under the so-called “truncation” plan, jets will be delivered with interim software that facilitates training, but a second software drop that enables combat capabilities likely won’t be available for at least another year. '

https://www.google.com/amp/s/breakingde ... e/%3famp=1


We could soon start seeing some eastbound ALTRV posted for 48FW deliveries - there two ALTRV for Sunday and Monday but perhaps it is too soon after the announcement?

[slogen51]

AL-ANG have received three jets on 19/7 according to :-

https://defence-blog.com/lockheed-marti ... f-35s/?amp


22-5729/AL is pictured

[raameagle]

You've misread that Mike. There's no mention of '3 jets' in that article although I'm sure that more will be on their way soon.
Regards
Mark

AL-ANG have received three jets on 19/7 according to :-

https://defence-blog.com/lockheed-marti ... f-35s/?amp


22-5729/AL is pictured

[Alf]

You've misread that Mike. There's no mention of '3 jets' in that article although I'm sure that more will be on their way soon.
Regards
Mark

AL-ANG have received three jets on 19/7 according to :-

https://defence-blog.com/lockheed-marti ... f-35s/?amp


22-5729/AL is pictured

Scramble report two F-35A delivered , 22-5729/AL to AL ANG and 22-5724/OT to Nellis.

As mentioned elsewhere Lakenheath may now receive 13 older combat capable TR-2 jets from a training unit (Luke?) rather than the TR-3 interims that are only able to be used for training. I guess we will know very soon when deliveries resume.

[Philwinward]

I suppose sending (used)TR2 versions to Lakenheath will ensure that all jets are to the same specification and available for deployment.
But would this mean a gradual changeover of all airframes, starting when TR3 version is available ?

[KevinJ]

A mix of F-35s with different software at LN for a year at least doesn't make much sense, maybe with just 13 different jets they will swallow it though, after all where else would the new ones go?

[RubyRoo]

I suppose sending (used)TR2 versions to Lakenheath will ensure that all jets are to the same specification and available for deployment.
But would this mean a gradual changeover of all airframes, starting when TR3 version is available ?

I assume so. Those in the current TR-2 state can be modified to TR-3 at a later date. Those in TR-1 can not.

[Alf]

A mix of F-35s with different software at LN for a year at least doesn't make much sense, maybe with just 13 different jets they will swallow it though, after all where else would the new ones go?

The new ones would go to a training unit (eg Luke) where combat capable jets are not essential? So swapping 13 Luke TR-2 jets for the 13 Lakenheath TR-3 interims makes sense.

From Defence News..

"And TR-3′s delay has led to a “slowdown” in the number of F-35s arriving at RAF Lakenheath, where the Air Force’s two European-based F-35 squadrons are located, Hecker said that fewer than a dozen F-35s intended for Lakenheath had been delayed.

He said the Air Force somewhat slowed down production of new F-35 pilots, so existing F-35 pilots and maintenance crews can keep flying and keep their readiness rating up.

As the training-only TR-3 jets start to come on board, Hecker said, the Air Force will likely send them to training bases. Combat-capable F-35s that had previously been flying training missions at those bases will then be transferred to Lakenheath, he said.

And the U.S. military is still withholding some payments to Lockheed Martin until the updates complete, Hunter said on Saturday."

https://www.defensenews.com/air/2024/07 ... e-effects/