Lockheed Martin introduces major upgrade for F-35 electronic warfare system

Published: 2026-05-18 05:01:12 ET LMT

Published on 05/18/2026 at 05:01 am EDT

Key takeaways

Lockheed Martin has secured a substantial 991 million dollar contract for the upgrade of the electronic warfare systems of 432 F‑35 Joint Strike Fighters. This contract, one of the largest individual modernisation efforts in the history of the programme, will improve the aircraft’s ability to detect and counter enemy threats.

The production and delivery of these modification kits, which will equip existing F‑35s with advanced electronic warfare capabilities, will take place at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Completion is expected in March 2032.

International customers

The distribution of the upgrade kits underlines the global reach of the F‑35 programme. The US Air Force will receive the largest allocation (97 kits), followed by Foreign Military Sales customers (106 kits) and participants outside the US Department of Defense (133 kits).

The Marine Corps will receive 54 kits and the Navy 42. Strikingly, the combined international allocation is larger than the total allocation to the US military, underscoring the importance of the F‑35 for allied air forces.

Electronic warfare

All three variants of the F‑35 (A, B and C) share a common electronic warfare architecture, enabling a single modernisation effort that benefits the entire global fleet. This makes the production order of 432 kits both economically and operationally efficient.

Electronic warfare capabilities are crucial to the F‑35’s success and give it a significant edge over older fighter aircraft. The AN/ASQ‑239 electronic warfare system enables the F‑35 to detect, identify and locate threats across a wide frequency range. It allows pilots to respond proactively to radar signals and missile guidance signals.

Moreover, the system can jam or deceive enemy radar and communication systems, feeding critical data into the aircraft’s advanced sensor‑fusion architecture. This integrated system combines information from radar, electro‑optical sensors and datalinks to provide pilots with a comprehensive tactical picture.

China and Russia

This modernisation effort is driven by the need to counter evolving air defence threats, particularly those developed by countries such as China and Russia. These countries have invested heavily in radar technologies specifically designed to detect stealth aircraft such as the F‑35.

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