Tomorrow’s battlespace is taking shape — and the F-35 is ready for it.
The F-35 is constantly evolving not just to meet today’s missions, but to stay ahead of tomorrow’s threats.
Block 4 is the modernization program delivering capability that maintains a technological advantage over adversaries. It is the most ambitious upgrade to the F-35 yet.
Block 4 upgrades provide the most significant evolution of capabilities to date for the F-35, ensuring it will continue to outpace enemy threats.Ìý
Aircraft equipped with Block 4 upgrades will carry more missiles, have advanced non-kinetic electronic warfare capabilities and deliver increased lethality by improving sensors and target recognition.  
- TR-3 is the aircraft’s computing infrastructure backbone for future capability inserts. This mission system avionics upgrade that significantly boosts the aircraft’s data storage, display processing and throughput to enable Block 4 capabilities.
- Lockheed Martin has completed development work for TR-3, which is fielded to the F-35 fleet today.
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The F-35 is redefining air dominance for the 21st century. With unmatched stealth, advanced sensors and radar-jamming technology, it was built to own the skies—and now it’s evolving to control the battlespace in new ways.
No longer just a fighter, the F-35 is a command-and-control hub for both manned and unmanned missions. Designed to lead manned-unmanned teaming operations, it can serve as the “quarterback of the sky", directing drones and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) in real time. These uncrewed systems may handle Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), jamming, strike and decoy missions, extending the F-35’s reach and enhancing the survivability and impact of the entire force.
With AI-driven upgrades and an open, modular architecture that enables ongoing advancements, the F-35 is becoming even more adaptable and capable of executing distributed missions at scale. These technologies give pilots unmatched situational awareness, allowing them to process data, prioritize threats and make faster, smarter decisions under pressure.
Lockheed Martin is applying insights from Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) research to deliver bold upgrades that will push the F-35 even further. The goal: integrate 80% of sixth-generation capabilities at roughly 50% of the cost of a brand-new NGAD platform.Ìý
These enhancements will include stealth improvements, AI-driven processing, advanced sensor fusion, and autonomy-enabling technologies—ensuring the F-35 remains at the forefront of global airpower.
These upgrades build upon Block 4 and ensure the F-35 stays ahead of evolving threats — ready to lead the fight, now and in the future.Ìý
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