Delivery of the first F-35 with upgraded hardware that’s crucial for the US fighter jet’s advanced capabilities may be delayed for another year — putting it 16 months later than originally planned, a lawmaker disclosed.
The combat aircraft built by Lockheed Martin Corp. needs the upgrade before it can carry more precise weapons and gather more information on enemy aircraft and air defenses. The hardware upgrade will increase processing power 37 times and memory 20 times over the F-35’s current capabilities.
