WASHINGTON — There are more problems for the military's F-35 Lightning II fighter jet.
The Department of Defense (DoD) is now withholding the final $5 million payment for each jet to manufacturer Lockheed Martin until the planes can fight in combat. That word comes from "Defense One."
At issue is a software upgrade called "Technology Refresh 3," which includes better displays, computer memory and more processing power. The Pentagon has said those new capabilities will give F-35 pilots a combat-edge to identify, track, engage, and survive against advanced air, ground, and cyber threats.
A Government Accountability Office report in May showed that Lockheed had delivered F-35s late 91% of the time.
At $2 trillion, the F-35 program is the DoD's most ambitious and costly weapon system. An April Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that sustainment cost estimates for the jet have increased 44%, from $1.1 trillion in 2018 to $1.58 trillion in 2023.
In July, local leaders began making a push to ensure that the Navy locates its F-35C at the East Coast Master Jet Base, Naval Air Station Oceana.