The Pentagon May Retire 100 F-35s Because It Would Be Too Expensive To Upgrade Them

US Air Force

Sputnik: Pentagon Considering Retiring 100 F-35s Before They Ever Fly

The US Department of Defense is considering a change in direction with their fleet of F-35s, in which more than 100 fighters would be retired from combat rather than upgraded with a new software configuration.

Of the 1,763 F-35s intended to enter service with the US Air Force, 108 are in need of a software upgrade from Block 2B platform to the combat-ready Block 3F. This configuration change would be time-consuming and expensive, with 150 modifications needed in every aircraft to bring them up to standards.

It might be cheaper to simply take the older F-35s in need of upgrades and use them for testing or training purposes instead. The USAF is currently conducting a business case analysis to determine which option is better for the budget.

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WNU Editor: I was not aware that 3 dozen F-22s were retired for the same reason.