Analysed: The US Air Force’s F-35 Inventory Plan

The United States Air Force is planning on reducing annual purchases of F-35 Lightning IIs (aka Panthers) in 2026 and 2027 to wait on Lockheed Martin to deliver a full Tech Refresh 3 (TR 3) suite and eventually a Block 4 version with increased capabilities. A recently declassified report for President Joe Bidens proposed 2025 has indicated a decrease in US Air Force F-35 purchases to help get the latest technology into the F-35A.