Lockheed Martin contracted to deliver Block 3F software for F-35

[Zarvan]

Once introduced, the Block 3F software will afford the F-35 a full combat capability. Source: Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin has been contracted to deliver Block 3F software for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter for the US and UK militaries.

The USD311.4 million contract announced by the Department of Defense (DoD) on 1 September covers delivery of the aircraft's full combat software to the US Air Force (USAF) (46%), US Marine Corps (USMC) (27%), US Navy (20%), and the United Kingdom (7%). According to the notification, work is expected to be competed in September 2021.

The F-35's software and capability blocks are broken down into Block 1A - initial training, Block 1B - advanced training 1, Block 2A - advanced training 2, Block 2B (initial combat capability), Block 3i (initial full capability), and Block 3F (full combat capability).

The USMC recently declared initial operating capability (IOC) for its F-35B jets with the Block 2B software, enabling the fleet to conduct close air support, offensive and defensive counter air, air interdiction, assault support escort, and armed reconnaissance missions. Block 3i provides the same tactical capabilities as Block 2B, with the principal difference being the implementation of the updated Integrated Core Processor. The USAF will declare IOC for its F-35As, with one squadron of aircraft at the Block 3i standard in the third quarter of 2016.

Block 3F provides 100% of the software required for full warfighting capability, including but not limited to datalink imagery, full weapons, and embedded training. Mission Systems Block 3F software development is 98% complete and due to be rolled out in the third quarter of 2017. After Block 3F, further block upgrades will be developed and introduced. The DoD is currently balancing its future priorities with expected budgets as it looks to define its Block 4 requirements.

The USAF has a requirement for 1,763 conventional take-off and landing F-35As, the first of which was received at the Integrated Training Center at Eglin Air Force Base (AFB) in 2011. The USAF will declare IOC in 2016. The USMC has a requirement for 353 F-35Bs and 67 F-35Cs, with the first having arrived at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River in Maryland in 2010. The service declared IOC of the F-35B in July. The US Navy has a requirement for 260 F-35Cs. It currently flies the variant at NAS Patuxent River and Eglin AFB. NAS Lemoore in California will be home to the service's first operational squadron, with IOC set for 2018-19.

The United Kingdom has a requirement for 138 F-35Bs for the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy, with final numbers set to be announced at the Strategic Defence and Security Review planned for later this year. Parliament has authorised the procurement of the first 14 F-35Bs as part of the overall programme of record, the first eight of which have been contracted (including four training and test platforms). In February 2015 the RAF's 17 Reserve Squadron was designated the United Kingdom's operational test and evaluation squadron at Edwards AFB. In 2016 the first operational unit - 617 'Dambusters' Squadron - is to stand up at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort before transferring to the type's homebase of RAF Marham in 2018. This unit will be joined at the same location shortly after by 809 'Immortals' Naval Air Squadron.

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Lockheed Martin contracted to deliver Block 3F software for F-35 - IHS Jane's 360