Photo By Shaylee Carmona | An F-35B Lightning II begins a functional check flight inspection at the Fleet...... read more read more
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CHERRY POINT, N.C. – A significant milestone in the modernization of the global F-35 fleet was achieved earlier this year at Fleet Readiness Center (FRC) East in Cherry Point, North Carolina. On Feb. 19, the F-35 Joint Program Office and FRC East began converting the first three operational F-35B Lightning II aircraft from the Technology Refresh 2 (TR-2) to the advanced Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) configuration.
The three F-35Bs, designated BF-105, BF-81 and BF-88, are the first fielded jets to undergo the full TR-3 retrofit. Following the deliveries of BF-105 on May 14 and BF-88 on May 21, BF-81 is projected to complete its conversion in July.
While TR-3 has been incorporated into new-production aircraft, the induction of these aircraft represents the first time fielded TR-2 jets have been converted to the TR-3 configuration. The work follows approximately six years of planning, training and production preparation by the F-35 JPO Air Vehicle (AV) Program Management Office (PMO), product support manager and industry teams.
TR-3 provides a substantial increase in computing power, memory and processing capacity. The upgrade includes new integrated core processors, a panoramic cockpit display and hardware to support advanced electronic warfare and future mission systems.
TR-3 is the foundation for all future Block 4 capabilities. The advanced sensors, weapon enhancements and mission-system upgrades planned for Block 4 rely on the computing power and architecture delivered through this refresh. These improvements will enable consistent fleet configuration, simplify logistics and allow the F-35 to meet emerging operational requirements.
“When people think about the F-35, they often focus on production lots and new deliveries,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Matthew Hawkins, materiel leader for F-35 mods/retrofits within the F-35 JPO AV PMO. “But we also have more than 700 aircraft already fielded that must be upgraded. These aircraft are the first of many. This is the starting point for an effort that will grow year after year.”
Hawkins said the induction marks a pivotal point for long-term F-35 readiness and warfighting capability.
“The faster we can upgrade jets, the more capable the warfighter will be,” Hawkins said. “This isn’t just an engineering milestone. It’s an operational one. TR-3 is what allows the F-35 to remain the quarterback of the battlespace in the next decade.”
Broader TR-3 retrofits across the fleet are expected to accelerate once FRC East completes the first pair of conversions and establishes full-rate processes.
FRC East, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, is one of five global depots that conduct major F-35 maintenance, modifications and upgrades to the F-35B Lightning II, with other locations at Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Ogden, Utah; Cameri, Italy; and Williamstown, Australia.
| Date Taken: | 02.19.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 06.02.2026 09:11 |
| Story ID: | 566589 |
| Location: | CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 12 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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