US DOD Holding Back $5 Million From Lockheed Martin For Each F-35 Without Certified T3 Upgrade

While the advanced F-35 Joint Strike Fighter deliveries may have resumed, the Pentagon is withholding the final $5 million payment for each aircraft. Lockheed will only get the final payment after it has completed the Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) update. Issues with the update caused the Pentagon to refuse delivery of the F-35 for a year, with over 100 F-35 jets left parked around Lockheed facilities. A compromise was finally reached, and Lockheed has resumed deliveries.