F-35s in ‘quantum leap’ upgrade – but there’s a catch in timing

It is easy to overlook the fact F-35s started entering service more than a decade ago. Even though they are still more lethal than any other jets, they will soon receive a huge makeover.

Two Royal Australian Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft over the Northern Territory during Exercise Diamond Storm 2022. Picture: Department of Defence

Sometimes it is easy to overlook the fact F-35s started entering service more than a decade ago, in 2012, and current production aircraft have systems and sensors of that vintage. Even though they are still more lethal than any other jets because of their stealth characteristics – with the possible exception of the F-22 – they will soon receive a huge makeover to maintain that edge for at least another decade.

According to prime contractor Lockheed Martin, the upgrade – known as the Block 4 configuration – represents a quantum leap in capability. The downside is that the bulk of the program is running late because a new and exceptionally powerful mission computer needs to be installed as a precursor and the flight test program is months behind schedule. This is known as Technical Refresh Three (TR3) and is about 95 per cent complete.

The delay is not because of any fundamental issues with technology but involves matters such as making sure all aspects of Block 4 are replicated in simulators precisely as they are in the aircraft during flight. The test program also needs to verify performance demonstrated in laboratories is the same in real life conditions.

Once fully implemented, this will be the most significant capability boost in the life of the F-35 fleet – and includes features such as modification to the weapons bay to carry six missiles internally instead of the original four.

In summary, the improvements are:

● 17 additional weapons or weapons upgrades – Increased lethal punch and standoff;

● 16-plus communication/networking updates – enhanced voice and data interoperability;

● 13-plus electronic warfare updates – detect, identify, and jam advanced threat emitters at range;

● 8-plus radar updates – detect, target, track and identify air and surface targets at range;

● 8-plus cockpit/navigation updates – pilot vehicle interface (PVI) enhancements, navigation mandates, denied GPS operations;

● 7-plus fusion updates – collaborative targeting techniques for air and surface targets.

Most of the original sensors will be changed, including the radar, the Distributed Aperture System that gives the pilot an unobstructed 360-degree view around the aircraft via six external cameras, and will feature new data links. The latter are highly directional and allow aircraft to exchange huge amounts of information – for example the radar picture from each F-35 – while remaining almost completely electronically stealthy.

In a traditional flight of four aircraft, they typically remain in close visual contact with each other, separated by several dozen metres. The idea is that with four pairs of eyes the pilots can alert each other of impending threats and of targets. With the new data links and improved sensors the F-35s will be able to fly several kilometres apart, automatically sharing information with each other, dramatically increasing the amount of sky and ground that they can dominate.

One example of an earlier Block 4 improvement already delivered without the need for TR3 is the proven, life-saving Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS) that autonomously recovers an aircraft and prevents imminent ground collisions, for example if the pilot has blacked out. The same technology has already been credited with 12 saves – 13 pilots, 12 F-16s – since the system entered service in 2019, and it was rolled out early and integrated with the F-35 ahead of schedule.

The RAAF’s final nine out of 72 F-35s are still in the US, fitted with the TR3 computers but awaiting the conclusion of the flight test program before being ferried home. It is expected they will be delivered this year, but no one wants to give a precise date.

The entire Block 4 upgrade will be retrofitted to all Australian aircraft, though the timing and budget have not been disclosed. Combined with other assets such as Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft, Super Hornets and Growlers, they will take the combat power of the RAAF to a whole new level. With the use of KC-30A air-to-air tankers it will be possible to conduct operations throughout Southeast Asia.

It is likely that the Block 4 work will be performed locally. Asked to quantify the value of the entire F-35 program to Australian industry, the company said: “Lockheed Martin is proud to partner with the RAAF as the industry leader and original equipment manufacturer in Australia, providing unparalleled experience, expertise and success in leading the design, production and sustainment of the F-35 Lightning II.”

“Through our longstanding partnerships with Australian industry, Lockheed Martin is delivering the F-35 Lightning II production and sustainment capability in Australia,” it said. “This has brought more than $4.6bn to Australian industry and created thousands of Australian jobs.”