US to increase number of fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II test fighters
In 2024, the US has six fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters in developmental testing. Next year, the US intends to increase the number of aircraft by a third.
Here's What We Know
According to the National Defence Authorisation Act for 2025, the number of fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II test fighters will be increased to nine units. The corresponding version of the bill was passed by the House Armed Services Committee earlier this week.
The US Air Force and Lockheed Martin are already implementing a large-scale test programme for the F-35. The workload for the fifth-generation fighters will increase due to the US Department of Defence's desire to complete tests of the Technology Refresh 3 software and hardware upgrade. Testing of more than 80 improvements, including the Block 4 upgrade, will be launched immediately afterwards.
It is worth noting that the amendment proposed by House of Representatives member Rob Wittman will give the US military more flexibility. In addition to the F-35A for the U.S. Air Force, the tests will include the F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing, as well as the F-35C, which is designed to land on aircraft carriers.
The amendment was another way to spur development of the F-35 programme, which is facing delays. Technology Refresh 3 is experiencing problems with software and production of key parts. The Government Accountability Office said earlier that testing experts had concluded that the software remained unstable.
The US Department of Defence has not accepted the F-35 in the Technology Refresh 3 configuration for almost a year. An undisclosed number of fifth-generation fighters remain in Lockheed Martin's factories. At the same time, the Government Accountability Office said the company may not have enough space to store the planes if deliveries are not resumed.
Lockheed Martin officials said tests of the final version of the Technology Refresh 3 are already underway. The company hopes the planes will perform well enough for deliveries to resume in the third quarter of this year. Even then, however, the fighters will not be ready for combat until 2025 at the earliest.
Source: Defence News
