The Ministry of Defence has stated that it does not anticipate production delays associated with Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Block 4 software upgrade will impact the UK Lightning Force’s Full Operating Capability (FOC), which remains scheduled for no later than the end of 2025.
The reassurance came in a written response from Minister of State for Defence Maria Eagle to a parliamentary question submitted by Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty.
Obese-Jecty asked the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment had been made regarding the potential impact of Block 4 software instability on F-35 deliveries.
In her reply, Eagle noted: “We do not routinely comment on detailed delivery schedules, however, it is not anticipated that the Block 4 delays will impact the declaration of Lightning Full Operating Capability, scheduled for no later than the end of 2025.”
Block 4 is a major upgrade package intended to enhance the F-35’s sensor suite, electronic warfare capabilities, and weapons integration. However, software instability and development challenges have led to repeated delays in its deployment, raising concerns across partner nations.
Despite those setbacks, the UK MOD has reaffirmed its confidence in reaching FOC on schedule. Full Operating Capability will mark a significant milestone for the UK Lightning Force, indicating that the fleet is fully deployable with sufficient numbers of aircraft, trained personnel, and support infrastructure in place to meet operational requirements.
The aircraft are jointly operated by the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy under the Lightning Force structure and are a key component of the UK Carrier Strike Group.
So despite the fact that we won’t be getting the same number of planes this year, nor on the same schedule and rumours are talking about a diminshed number of planes on the carrier, there’s nothing to see here, move along. We do get an awful lot of announcements from the Minister saying that things have been delayed, but they are still on schedule and everything is all good,
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So, linking to an article from a few days ago on here, are we likely to see AMRAAM on our F35Bs, as a BVR interim, until the Block 4 software is stable enough and the developers can start to integrate Meteor?
AMRAAM Ds have been used on our F35s for years. They were used in CSG21 and long before.
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Well Jim and Carrickter, that is good news if it’s true. I had it that we only had ASRAAM and Paveway on our F35s.
Had AMRAAM on our F35B since the start of operation.
Beats me how it can be classed as full operational capability when it is stuck with current gen weapon loads. Guess my definition of full capability differs somewhat…
Without current gen weapon loads. A bit like this website, lacking even last gen functionality like being able to edit… Or prevent scam spam.
It could be fully operational to stealthily drop guided bombs…..it could be fully operational to take over the role of the Tiger Moth too?
Fully operational to do what with what might be more the question…..
If you put some mahogany and some brass handles in the cockpit it would be just like flying a desk? With a nice spiffy interactive display and helmet……
As you’ve pointed out, FOC to drop guided bombs and use ASRAAM and AMRAAM . Brilliant capability for our Premier Strike Aircaraft that we have had since 2012!!!
F35 is in fact a Strike aircraft designed to drop ordinance on a given target, it is NOT a dogfighter or air superiority fighter although it has to fulfill those roles in a number of airforce. Seems to be a forgotten part of the debate in lots of posts?
It needs stand off weapons. The f117 shoot down demonstrates the vulnerability even stealth aircraft have when dropping bombs. Yes that’s old gen stealth but air defences haven’t stood still either. They are not invisible to radar as many seem to think.
It’s also the sole air to air platform for naval operations and AMRAAM just does not cut it now compared to modern missiles potential enemies have.
Has there been any indication as to when the Defence Review is being published? Apart from the vague sometime in spring statement.
Fitted for but not with a publish date
Very good 🙂
beer me
Interestingly I see Spain is now providing an AAW destroyers to CSG25 and Canada an ASW destroyer. Only one T45 and one T23 going. I think this is a good idea as the most import thing we can do is provide other NATO nations a springboard to deploy east of suez but I’m sure we won’t hear the end of it from the Trolls saying how s**t we are.
Jim, you seem disappointed that the RN is committing only 2 escorts to CSG25 and is conducting interoperability practice with allies.
No I’m not disappointed, I am delighted. Personally I would run CSG every year to the Indian Ocean with no Royal navy escorts and instead use allied navy’s.
The French regularly deploy only two escorts with the CdG , the rest being made up by allies but somehow they seem beyond criticism .
I think most people are happy for allies to join in on CSG deployments. But let’s not pretend that the UK providing only 2 escorts (3/4 in CSG21) and 1 RFA (3 in CSG21) is just good British sportsmanship. It’s lack of available resource due to decades of under funding and cuts.
I would personally feel much better if there was an additional T45 in the group. Two thirds of our 5th gen airpower is going to be on that carrier, and that merits proper defence.
One T45 has been proven to deal with Red Sea threats so that is the minimum.
But CSG25 isn’t staying in the lower risk Red sea but going to where China is trying to annex & bully her neighbours & threatening to invade Taiwan. Quite a lot hotter danger if things kicked off & with Trumpo messing everything up it could be a great time for Xi to try it on.
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Xi is not a stupid man, infact the very opposite, he will not try it on, when there are lots of European assets in the area.. he’s quite happily watching the US isolate itself he will keep letting that happen for a bit longer, also the fact the US has launched a trade war is golden for him. He will now be happy shifting the last of his Ecconomy away from being tired with the US ( something he’s been burning money doing over the last 6 years) and be prepping up his population for the war they always planned for and now have an even better reason to move forward on.
And has no ability to reload at sea. 2 are needed for sustainability.
If the block 4 delay increases coat due to requirement to upgrade post delivery rather than as part of the delivered spec, LM should be accountable for costs.
JSF Programme Office suspension of delivery for a year was to send a strong message to LM leaders.
So… just suppose Block 4 fails to meet this date – FOC mind you, not some half arsed Bodge. Do we suppose all payments to the program with be suspended until FOC is demonstrated? If not what penalties will Lockeed Martin pay? And what is our best realistic alternative?
Block IV was never part of FOC.it was always a step beyond FOC with new radar and integrating weapons like Spear that don’t yet exist yet.
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Meteor been operational for a decade
Stormshadow ruled out.
SPEAR on back burner awaiting block 4.
Reminder.
30 years since JSF program kicked off.
24 years since F35 selected.
Block 4 and ability to integrate desired sovereign systems will now be available 32 years after F35 was selected.
Meanwhile Israelis have integrated their own EW systems and weapons for past decade.
I think you’re all miss reading what FOC is. It’s not about weapons fit or even block 4.
“fully deployable with sufficient numbers of aircraft, trained personnel, and support infrastructure in place to meet operational requirements.”
Have we suddenly employed Karoline Leavett as Ministry spokes person. Technically the aircraft in numbers may be at FOC and hey they can drop glide bombers and fire AMRAAMS but not a lot else so yes they can fly around in reasonable numbers looking all potent but let’s hope that they don’t have to do too much actual war fighting because yes some air defence is possible to the aircraft carriers and task force but pretty much nothing in terms of strike which sort of takes away from much of a carrier task force’s raison d’être. Good to know the carriers can protect themselves I guess …as long as Crows Nest is up to the job but only so much point in posing like a heavyweight Boxer but in reality the heavyweight boxer is Joe Bugner.
Maria “all-talk” Eagle.
I’m sure she’s justifying her £157K PA.