Summary of the article:
The F-35 will undergo periodic upgrades, including the current Block 4 upgrade, which includes over 75 major modifications to the aircraft's electronic hardware and software. Before these upgrades can be implemented, the F-35's core processor and memory unit must be improved through an upgrade called Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3). TR-3 will increase the aircraft's processing power and memory, and will also migrate to an open-system architecture that allows for future upgrades and minimizes dependence on specific vendors. The Block 4 upgrades will improve the F-35's targeting, electronic warfare, and data-sharing capabilities, as well as its ability to operate in contested environments.
Some specific improvements that will be made include the integration of new weapons, such as the Small Diameter Bomb II and the Joint Strike Missile, as well as the addition of new sensors and radar systems. The Block 4 upgrades will also include improvements to the aircraft's maintenance and sustainment processes, with the goal of reducing the cost of ownership and improving the aircraft's availability. Overall, the Block 4 upgrades will make the F-35 an even more formidable and capable aircraft, helping it maintain its edge over potential adversaries.