The US Department of Defense confirmed on Tuesday that many of the newest F-35 fighter jets will be delivered without their primary radar systems. The issue stems from delays in the production of the AN/APG-81 radar, which is designed for the F-35’s advanced sensor suite. While the aircraft are built with mounting points for the radar, the hardware is not ready for deployment.
The Pentagon’s F-35 program office stated that the radar shortage affects a significant portion of the current production batch. The agency has not specified how many jets are impacted but acknowledged that the problem is widespread across multiple contracts. Delivery schedules remain unchanged, with the jets set to enter service as planned.
Lockheed Martin, the F-35’s prime contractor, has attributed the delay to software integration challenges. The company says it expects the radar to reach full operational capability by mid-2025. Until then, the aircraft will operate with partial sensor capabilities, relying on alternative systems for basic targeting and navigation.
Military analysts note that the radar delay could affect the F-35’s combat effectiveness. The AN/APG-81 is critical for detecting air and ground targets, electronic warfare, and data sharing with allied forces. Without it, the jets will have reduced situational awareness in high-threat environments.
The Pentagon has not indicated whether this will lead to contract renegotiations or penalties for Lockheed Martin. The program remains under scrutiny as costs continue to rise, with the total fleet now exceeding $1.7 trillion in projected spending.
Source: tu.no