Single-Engine Design
¶ 6. Lack of Full-Rate Production Readiness
Note on cost basis: All USD amounts from US government sources (GAO, CBO, DoD) in this article are expressed in Base Year 2012 Dollars (BY2012$). Adjusted for inflation to 2026, actual values are approximately 40–50% higher.
¶ Full Rate Production: 23 Years After Programme Start
The F-35 programme began in 2001. The Full Rate Production Decision was only made in March 2024 -- over a decade later than planned [33]. Baseline development was completed with USD 250 billion (BY2012$) in cost overruns compared to the original estimate [34].
¶ Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3): Massive Delays
TR-3 introduces new processors with 16 times the computing power and 20 times the data capacity [35]. The delays are substantial:
- Originally planned: April 2023
- First deliveries began: July 2024, but only an "abbreviated" version without full combat capability [36]
- Full combat capability: Not before 2026 [36]
In 2024, all 110 F-35s produced were delivered late -- on average 238 days [36]. From July 2023 to July 2024, there was a 13-month delivery halt.
¶ Block 4 Modernisation: Reduced and Delayed
The Block 4 modernisation shows over USD 6 billion (BY2012$) in cost overruns and 5 years of delays. The earliest completion is 2031 instead of the originally planned 2026 [36][37]. The scope has been reduced [37].
¶ Swiss Context
The Swiss F-35As belong to Lot 18/19 and are to be delivered with TR-3 [38]. Since TR-3 was already delayed for Lot 15, there is an elevated risk of further delays to Swiss deliveries. The GAO found that the F-35 programme has shown no improvement in meeting schedule and performance targets [34].
Translated from the German version. See the German version for complete references.