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05 Feb 25. Key tests for latest F-35s will begin in 2026, two years after rollout. An important series of tests for the latest upgrades to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will likely not begin until two years after these jets started hitting the field — and at least three years following their original due date.
The Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation said in its annual report, submitted to Congress on Jan. 31, that dedicated operational tests for the F-35’s Technology Refresh 3, or TR-3, upgrades will probably start in mid to late fiscal 2026, or around next summer. Those tests are intended to determine whether TR-3 is operationally effective.
Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt, the military’s F-35 program executive officer, said in a statement to Defense News that as of January, Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 100 TR-3 equipped fighters. All of those jets have software allowing its pilots to conduct training flights, including combat training.
“We are aggressively implementing comprehensive test plans to ensure this critical upgrade delivers cutting-edge capabilities to the warfighter,” Schmidt said. “The F-35 [Joint Program Office] remains focused on working through known risks to deliver TR-3 combat capability in 2025. The capability will continue to be improved in future lots to ensure warfighters have what they need to win in future conflicts.”
An official with knowledge of the operational test program for the F-35, who spoke about the program on the condition of anonymity, said that starting operational testing next year would not delay the fielding of the newest jets.
“It is not uncommon for fielding decisions to come before operational testing is complete,” the official said.
The Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation said the TR-3 tests can’t begin until its software is stable and aircraft modifications, flight test instruments and open-air battle shaping capabilities are in place. But if those systems and software are matured and in place sooner than expected, testing could start earlier, the office said.
The delayed launch of the TR-3 tests is the latest in a series of setbacks for the Lockheed Martin-made fighter, which have caused efforts to modernize the program to slip further behind.
TR-3 is a set of improvements to the F-35′s hardware and software, which include better displays, computer memory and processing power. TR-3 was originally set to be released in April 2023, but software problems and integration difficulties stalled the program.
The Pentagon refused to accept deliveries of the newest F-35s until July 2024, when an interim version of the TR-3 software that allows the jets to conduct training flights was completed.
But the TR-3-enabled F-35s can’t yet carry out combat missions. And while the F-35 Joint Program Office still hopes to have the jets combat ready in 2025, the timeline might slip further. In a January earnings call, Lockheed Chief Financial Officer Jay Malave said the work might not be finished until early 2026.
The delays in TR-3 are also having cascading effects on subsequent improvements to the F-35 – particularly another modernization program called Block 4 – which is intended to allow the jet to carry more weapons, better recognize targets and improve its electronic warfare capabilities.
The Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation criticized the F-35 program’s lack of progress in rolling out necessary software.
“The F-35 program has shown no improvement in meeting schedule and performance timelines for developing and testing software designed to address deficiencies and add new capabilities,” the office’s annual report said. (Source: Defense News)
06 Feb 25. Key safety system off in Army helicopter that collided with American Airlines jet, senator says.
• Summary
• Companies
• Black Hawk helicopter recovered from Potomac River
• FAA allows military flights with ADS-B off since 2018, Cantwell questions practice
• FAA imposes restrictions on helicopter flights near Reagan National
A key safety system was turned off on the U.S. Army helicopter that collided with an American Airlines (AAL.O), opens new tab regional jet last week near Washington’s Reagan Airport, killing 67.
Senate Commerce Committee chair Ted Cruz told reporters the Black Hawk helicopter had turned off its automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B), which is permitted for military aircraft.
“This was a training mission, so there was no compelling national security reason for ADS-B to be turned off,” Cruz said after a briefing from the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration.
In the deadliest U.S. air disaster in more than 20 years, the aircraft collided last week, with both aircraft plunging into the Potomac River. The helicopter was flying about 100 feet (30.5 m) over the maximum allowed for that route, the NTSB said earlier.
(Source: Reuters)
04 Feb 25. USMC passes second straight audit as other services lag behind. The U.S. Marine Corps has now passed its audit for a second straight year while the rest of the Defense Department is still working toward the goal.
“Independent auditors verified that the Marine Corps’ financial records are materially accurate, complete, and compliant with federal regulations and issued an unmodified opinion for Fiscal Year 2024,” the service announced in a Feb. 4 statement.
The efforts to pass an audit “tell the American people that a dollar invested in the Marine Corps is a dollar well spent,” Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith said in the statement. “Make no mistake, passing an audit makes us more ready to fight when our nation calls.”
Reporting for $49 bn in financial assets “requires a holistic view from the ground level up to the highest service levels,” said Lt. Gen. James Adams III, deputy commandant for programs and resources. “The audit process demonstrates Marines’ inherent integrity — opening up and illuminating potential audit mistakes and inventory miscounts across the entire chain of command. That can be an uncomfortable experience for Marine leaders of all ranks.”
A clean audit means the Marine Corps is able to accurately track and report financial transactions globally; keep correct stock of inventory of facilities, equipment and assets and can account for “taxpayer dollars spent during the last fiscal year,” the statement notes.
Passing an audit also means the service can better plan, program, budget and spend congressionally appropriated funds.
The Marine Corps is now taking additional steps beyond passing an annual audit to “stabilize” its new accounting system and procedures, according to the statement.
The Pentagon, in its seventh year conducting a full audit, has made progress toward a clean audit but has yet to pass across the board.
“I believe the department has turned a corner in its understanding of the challenges and, more importantly, in addressing those challenges. Momentum is on our side,” the Pentagon’s Comptroller and Chief Financial Officer Michael McCord said in November 2024 when the department announced the results.
The Pentagon has until FY28 to obtain a clean opinion from the Inspector General as mandated by Congress.
The Defense Department saw major progress in resolving material weaknesses, a key metric used to track auditability. The department, for example, resolved all contingent legal liabilities considered material weaknesses.
“The department continues to need the sustained investment, senior leadership commitment and the support of our partners in Congress, federal regulators, the audit community and our military and civilian personnel to accomplish its audit goals,” McCord said. “An unmodified audit opinion has always been the Department’s primary financial management goal, and with their help, I know it is achievable.” (Source: Defense News)
03 Feb 25. Defense Secretary Says Full Control of Southern Border Equals ‘Mission Accomplishment.’
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth today said that full control of the southern border is the goal of the current administration and all of the intergovernmental agencies working to enforce border security.
When talking to the media during his first visit to the border since being sworn in, Hegseth was asked what mission accomplishment looks like.
“Mission accomplishment means 100% operational control of the border,” Hegseth said.
“Right now, that means a surge of manpower … We’ve seen thousands of active-duty and National Guard troops come to the border with additional assets and systems that allow us to surveil,” he continued.
The Defense Department announced Jan. 22, 2025, that it would be sending 1,500 active-duty service members to the border along with additional air and intelligence assets to assist other federal agencies and branches of service that are working to enforce border security.
In addition to all DOD and other federal assets currently in place for border enforcement, Hegseth also highlighted the recent announcement that Mexico agreed to cooperate with enforcement operations from that country’s side of the border.
“Because of President [Donald J.] Trump’s adept ability to negotiate, we now have 10,000 Mexican troops that are going to be patrolling on the other side of the border. So, there’s cooperation with Mexico, as well,” Hegseth said.
When asked about the housing of migrants or deportees on military bases, Hegseth said DOD has numerous options available.
“Any assets necessary at the Defense Department to support the expulsion and detention of those in our country illegally [are] on the table, to include — as has been widely reported — Guantanamo Bay,” Hegseth said.
On Jan. 29, 2025, Hegseth affirmed that DOD intends to house up to 30,000 criminal migrants at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, following the president’s announcement that he would sign an executive order directing DOD to do so.
Commenting on the day-to-day activities of the U.S. troops currently operating on the border, Hegseth explained that state-based service members have the authority to assist with actual enforcement procedures. In contrast, the federal troops are able to relieve U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents from their observational duties so that those agents can then perform apprehensions.
“I just talked with a bunch of great [enlisted service members] who are doing their duty. They’re calling in observation to [U.S. Customs and Border Protection], who then interdict,” Hegseth said, adding that the process has greatly increased the speed of apprehensions.
“The ability to control every portion of the border — underneath, above ground, [by air] and by sea is something we take very seriously, and we will ensure [that happens] as rapidly as possible,” Hegseth said.
“Whatever is required from [the Department of Homeland Security] … from the border czar [Tom Homan] and others will be provided by the Defense Department. Because our mission is clear: 100% operational control … and we’re proud to do it,” he added.
Hegseth concluded his meeting with the media by praising the military organizations participating in the federal border enforcement operation.
“I want to give a shout-out to the commanders in the field who have executed rapidly and with maximum professionalism … across the spectrum,” Hegseth said.
“I’m incredibly proud of the warriors we have in the Defense Department and their commitment to this mission.” (Source: U.S. DoD)
31 Jan 25. Hegseth plans sweeping overhaul of the US Pentagon. The new administration will focus on reforming acquisition, revamping industry, and expediting delivery of capabilities. Ahead of his accession to lead the US Department of Defense (DoD), Pete Hegseth announced a loaded agenda to roll back the existing apparatus in an effort to ditch structures, decisions, and processes outside the ideological bounds of President Donald Trump’s America First doctrine.
Rebuilding the US military, Hegseth said on 25 January 2025, “means reviving our defense industrial base, reforming our acquisition process, passing a financial audit, and rapidly fielding emerging technologies.” Thus, “We will remain the strongest and most lethal force in the world.”
These aims will constitute sweeping changes at the Pentagon headquarters in Washington. In the meantime, however, over the next several months, officials will undertake a review to determine what will stay and what will have to go.
Trump’s flurry of executive orders, signed in the days after his inauguration, direct officials to assess the supposed damage done to the defence establishment under his predecessor, Joe Biden.
Some of the new administration’s assertions are more ideological than others. Ranging from cutting DEIA programmes, for which a “Task Force” was recently established, to introducing more efficient practices across the federal government.
Nevertheless, Hegseth’s perspective of beleaguered DoD structures and a breathless industrial base is a valid one. The United States is trying to keep pace with the People’s Republic of China, their strategic rival for the next few decades.
Assessing the damage
In the final week of January 2025, the Pentagon announced that it will “pause” all financial assistance. The decision was taken with little explanation of the implications other than to say that the day-to-day contract awards will continue as normal.
By pausing spending, the new administration will determine where the DoD budget, of more than $800bn, will be allocated according to their political inclinations.
Most spending activities are under review, including, it seems, Foreign Military Sales and Security Assistance packages. This then throws military assistance to Ukraine into question. Therefore, pending the review of DoD financial assistance, around $4bn of unused Presidential Drawdown Authority funds from the former Biden administration may be spent elsewhere.
“[Trump is] just trying to ensure that the tax money going out the door… actually aligns with the will and the priorities of the American people.”
White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt
In a White House briefing, Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, captured the spirit of the decision to block funding, stating:
“The American people gave President Trump an overwhelming mandate on November 5th [2024], and he’s just trying to ensure that the tax money going out the door in this very bankrupt city [Washington] actually aligns with the will and the priorities of the American people.”
All this will require a comprehensive audit, as Hegseth observed, though the Pentagon has not yet stated when this will take place.
Meanwhile, the financial block has not prevented the new Defense Secretary from proceeding with ambitious policies such as the creation of a missile defence shield to protect the United States. This network of air defence systems would be based on the Israeli short-range Iron Dome air defence system, according to Trump’s executive order issued late on 27 January.
Fixing acquisition, industry, and delivery
Although Trump and Hegseth are eager to uproot the status quo, some DoD structures set up under Biden may well make it through the purge.
One particular project that has proven useful since its creation in August 2023 is the Replicator initiative. Replicator accelerates the delivery of innovative capabilities to the armed forces at speed and scale through non-traditional technology ecosystems largely in the commercial sector.
There are two phases. The first, ‘Replicator 1’, will deliver several thousand all-domain uncrewed, autonomous systems by August 2025. The second, ‘Replicator 2’, which was announced in September 2024, will focus on Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems.
A focus on timely delivery will fit neatly into Trump’s crusade for efficiency. When asked, Eric Pahon, a Pentagon spokesperson, told Army Technology that “there are no changes to announce regarding the Replicator 1 or Replicator 2 initiatives or timelines.”
Right now, a typical acquisition must satisfy nearly 50 documentation requirements and get 50 external sing-offs, observed US senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, in his opening remarks during a recent session.
Industry are similarly eager to expedite decision-making within the DoD. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, a US defence prime, wrote an open letter to Elon Musk welcoming his efforts in leading the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The company suggested the bureaucratic process has led to greater competition from foreign competitors:
“… poor US government (USG) policy and sluggish bureaucratic decision-making has opened the door for competitors like China, Turkey, and Israel to win important international customers.
“Sales lost to these competitors while we waited on some USG action means less funding available for re-investment, into [research and development], and modernised manufacturing infrastructure.
In the first nine days of government, Musk revealed that DOGE saved around $1bn by terminating 85 DEIA contracts. (Source: army-technology.com)
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