A new electronic warfare system will be a key feature of the F-35 after the Block 4 upgrade and will define the aircraft's role in future combat

By: Maksim Panasovskiy | 11.03.2023, 01:50

Mark Kelly has outlined what to expect from the Block 4 upgrade that all fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters will undergo. According to the general, the key upgrade will be electronic warfare capabilities.

Here's What We Know

All versions of the Lightning II - the F-35A, F-35B and F-35C - will undergo the Block 4 upgrade. According to Mark Kelly, the success of the upgrade will determine the fighter's role in "future high-tech conflicts".

The F-35 has the most powerful electronic warfare suite. A Block 4 upgrade could make it even more effective. It will better prepare the fighter for future air combat, where dominance in the electromagnetic spectrum will come to the fore.

The electronic warfare capabilities that come with Block 4 are based on the Technology Refresh-3 (TR-3) upgrade. This is a critical upgrade to Lockheed Martin's aircraft's computing electronics.

TR-3 upgrades the F-35's computing core, including memory units, avionics and processor. The fighter's processing power will be increased, allowing it to support new long-range precision weapons and features that will appear in Block 4, including advanced electronic warfare capabilities.

The U.S. Air Force conducted the first flight test of the F-35 in TR-3 configuration in early 2023. Tests of the fifth-generation fighter will continue throughout 2023. This was announced by the F-35 Joint Program Office leadership.

Mark Kelly said the Block 4 upgrade will bring the AN/APG-85 active phased array radar developed by Northrop Grumman. It will replace the AN/APG-81 AESA and will be compatible exclusively with the F-35 A/B/C Block 4.

It was previously known that the F-35 will receive a new electro-optical targeting system, a new situational awareness system and will be able to launch GBU-53 StromBreaker smart bombs. However, the US Air Force keeps a full list of the upgrades available on Block 4 under wraps.

Source: The Drive