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Lockheed eyes better stealth, unmanned option for F-35

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Stephen Losey
May 29, 2025

Lockheed Martin plans to “super-charge” the F-35 by porting elements of its abandoned sixth-generation NGAD bid into the current fighter. Over the next two-to-three years the company expects to introduce upgraded stealth coatings and minor shape changes that lower radar and infrared signatures, add advanced electronic-warfare, networking and autonomy features that could make the jet pilot-optional, and qualify new sixth-gen weapons. These upgrades aim to deliver about 80 % of a true sixth-generation fighter’s capability at roughly half the cost. Parallel work on the Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) package—faster processors, more memory, a new cockpit display and a next-gen Distributed Aperture System—is now flowing down the production line, though software integration with the sensor suite is running slightly late and is expected to catch up by year-end. Ultimately, Lockheed envisions the enhanced F-35 operating as a node in a “family-of-systems” that includes sixth-gen aircraft and autonomous drones. Defense News

🔹 Key Points (Bullet List)

  • Lockheed CEO Jim Taiclet says “meaningful” sixth-gen capabilities could fly on F-35s within 2-3 years.

  • Improvements will focus on new radar/IR-absorbent coatings and revised inlets/outlets to cut signatures.

  • Enhanced electronic-warfare, networking and autonomy could make the jet pilot-optional.

  • Some sixth-generation weapons are being evaluated for the F-35 arsenal.

  • Upgrades derived from Lockheed’s losing NGAD proposal; goal is 80 % of NGAD capability at 50 % cost.

  • TR-3 hardware (better processor, memory, cockpit display) is in production; software integration is complete.

  • New Distributed Aperture System antennas are installing now, but software tie-in is running behind.

  • Lockheed expects all TR-3 jets delivered this year to be fully combat-ready once DAS software catches up.

  • The company is designing the F-35 to mesh with drones and sixth-gen fighters in a broader “family of systems.” Defense News

FULL ARTICLE: https://www.defensenews.com/air/2025/05/29/lockheed-eyes-better-stealth-unmanned-option-for-f-35/

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