“Consistent with our announcement in September, we continue to expect to deliver a total of 97 aircraft this year, all in the Technology Refresh 2, or TR2, configuration,” Taiclet said. Lockheed Martin previously forecasted the delivery of between 100 and 120 jets in 2023.
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“We are producing F-35s at a rate of 156 per year and expect to continue at that pace while simultaneously working to finalize TR3 software development testing,” the executive stated, adding that Lockheed expects to deliver the first TR3-configured aircraft between April and June of 2024.
The TR3 configuration is meant to support modernized Block 4 capabilities for the F-35 by providing the aircraft with additional computing power. Block 4 should include several major systems upgrades such as an improved radar system, upgraded electronic warfare capabilities, and a set of new long-range precision weapons.
However, the manufacturer revealed that it had been facing delays in the flight certification process for TR3 due to “unexpected challenges” at a subcontractor, L3Harris, which is responsible for producing the F-35’s new integrated core processor.