{"id":69345,"date":"2025-02-05T19:35:46","date_gmt":"2025-02-05T19:35:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2025\/02\/05\/key-tests-for-latest-f-35s-will-begin-in-2026-two-years-after-rollout\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T01:19:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T01:19:33","slug":"key-tests-for-latest-f-35s-will-begin-in-2026-two-years-after-rollout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/air\/2025\/02\/05\/key-tests-for-latest-f-35s-will-begin-in-2026-two-years-after-rollout\/","title":{"rendered":"Key tests for latest F-35s will begin in 2026, two years after rollout"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

An important series of tests for the latest upgrades to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter<\/a> will likely not begin until two years after these jets started hitting the field \u2014 and at least three years following their original due date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation said in its annual report<\/a>, submitted to Congress on Jan. 31, that dedicated operational tests for the F-35\u2019s Technology Refresh 3, or TR-3, upgrades<\/a> will probably start in mid to late fiscal 2026, or around next summer. Those tests are intended to determine whether TR-3 is operationally effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt, the military\u2019s F-35 program executive officer, said in a statement to Defense News that as of January, Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 100 TR-3 equipped fighters. All of those jets have software allowing its pilots to conduct training flights, including combat training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are aggressively implementing comprehensive test plans to ensure this critical upgrade delivers cutting-edge capabilities to the warfighter,\u201d Schmidt said. \u201cThe F-35 [Joint Program Office] remains focused on working through known risks to deliver TR-3 combat capability in 2025. The capability will continue to be improved in future lots to ensure warfighters have what they need to win in future conflicts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An official with knowledge of the operational test program for the F-35, who spoke about the program on the condition of anonymity, said that starting operational testing next year would not delay the fielding of the newest jets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is not uncommon for fielding decisions to come before operational testing is complete,\u201d the official said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation said the TR-3 tests can\u2019t begin until its software is stable and aircraft modifications, flight test instruments and open-air battle shaping capabilities are in place. But if those systems and software are matured and in place sooner than expected, testing could start earlier, the office said.<\/p>\n\n\n\t