Dragon029
ACCESS: Top Secret
- Joined
- 17 March 2009
- Messages
- 881
- Reaction score
- 440
I'm not sure what number are at an FOC Block 3F configuration, but at least in terms of what jets are using Block 3F software, from memory, all F-35s from LRIP 8 onwards have had Tech Refresh 2 avionics which either come pre-installed with Block 3F or only require a software update to attain it. LRIP 8 through to LRIP 11 comprises 331 aircraft for the whole world (inc. US) and 192 aircraft for the US, though as mentioned in my last post, Lockheed has only reported "475+" of the 497 jets through to the end of LRIP 11 having been delivered so far.
It's worth remembering too that according to reports last year (2018), the US services have "fully funded" modifying all earlier F-35s to the Block 3F or Block 4 Tech Refresh 3 standard. Because those have been funded and modifications may (probably?) have begun already, the number of Block 3F configured F-35s may be higher than my ~331/~192 estimate.
It's worth remembering too that according to reports last year (2018), the US services have "fully funded" modifying all earlier F-35s to the Block 3F or Block 4 Tech Refresh 3 standard. Because those have been funded and modifications may (probably?) have begun already, the number of Block 3F configured F-35s may be higher than my ~331/~192 estimate.