AviationNews – The United States Air Force has reportedly begun accepting new F-35 Lightning II fighter jets that are missing their primary onboard radar systems. This unusual delivery configuration, which reportedly began in June 2025, utilizes internal ballast weights to maintain the aircraft’s aerodynamic balance while critical sensor technology remains stuck in development.
These radar-less deliveries involve the latest Block 4 and Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) hardware upgrades, which were designed specifically to house the next-generation AN/APG-85 radar. Developed by Northrop Grumman, the APG-85 is intended to replace the older AN/APG-81 system. However, structural changes in the aircraft’s nose—meant to accommodate the more powerful gallium nitride (GaN) technology—have created a physical incompatibility. Because the new mounting frames cannot fit the older radar models, Lockheed Martin has been forced to deliver airframes with empty nose compartments to avoid stalling production lines.
Operationally, these jets are currently restricted to training missions or ferry flights, as they lack the independent air-to-air search and electronic warfare capabilities provided by a functional radar. While the F-35 is designed for sensor fusion, allowing a radar-less jet to receive targeting data from a “wingman” via secure data links, experts view this as a temporary peacetime workaround. The AN/APG-85 requires significantly higher power and enhanced cooling, technical hurdles that have delayed full-scale production of the sensor until at least 2027.
“The APG-85 is key to Block 4 and TR-3 capabilities,” stated Representative Rob Wittman, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Tactical Aviation, during recent discussions on the program’s challenges. “Delivering the aircraft in its current configuration is a major challenge, and I’d like to see the industry compress the integration schedule even further.”
The current situation highlights the immense complexity of the F-35 modernization roadmap, with full combat capability for these specific jets not expected for several years. To prevent future bottlenecks, developers are reportedly considering a redesign of the forward fuselage to allow for “dual-mount” compatibility with both legacy and future radar systems.
The U.S. military will eventually need to retrofit these “hollow” jets once the AN/APG-85 enters mass production, a process that will add to the long-term maintenance backlog. For now, the focus remains on ensuring the airframes are flight-ready, even if their most vital eyes remain grounded.
