2023 F-35 deliveries take hit due to engine problem and Tech Refresh delays
Lockheed Martin expected to deliver 156 fighters this year before the engine problems and TR-3 delays occurred. (Photo: US DoD)
Lockheed Martin is expected to fall short of its target for delivering 156 F-35 fighter jets in 2023 due to a three-month pause in engine deliveries and delays with the Tech Refresh 3 update.
Lockheed Martin will miss the number of F-35 deliveries it expected to complete in 2023, company CEO Jim Taiclet said on 18 April.
Speaking on a Q1 earnings call, Taiclet said the missed target is due to the three-month pause in engine deliveries and delays with the Tech Refresh 3 (TR-3) update.
‘We do expect a fraction of total expected 2023 deliveries to be impacted later this year, due to both software maturation related to Technology Refresh 3 and hardware delivery timing,’ he said on the call.
Taiclet did not give details about how many aircraft the company would fall
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order]()
Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order
The first of the 12 M-346 aircraft are expected to be delivered to the Austrian Air Force by 2028, according to the company.
-
![2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending]()
2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending
Qatar and Indonesia followed the US’s high spending on new uncrewed aerial vehicle contracts across 2025, while MALE and micro drones and loitering munitions were particularly popular subcategories this year.
-
![German Navy in “ramp-up” phase as it welcomes first NH90 Sea Tiger delivery]()
German Navy in “ramp-up” phase as it welcomes first NH90 Sea Tiger delivery
With all 31 aircraft set to be delivered by 2030, the helicopters will gradually replace the ageing Sea Lynx fleet which are due to be retired in 2026.
