Pentagon Safety Concerns Delay Delivery of Newest Fighter Jet Tech to Australia

A pilot assigned to the 61st Fighter Squadron and 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chiefs prepare an F-35A Lightning II for taxi at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., on Jan. 15, 2019. Crew chiefs work with pilots to ensure the F-35 takes-off and lands safely. U.S Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jacob Wongwai

Australia’s new F-35A  fighter jets may require technological upgrades after the Pentagon’s decision to delay the approval of the plane’s new weapons system.

Known as the TR-3, the top-tier software system allows the new F-35A Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) to run a software platform called Block 4 that provides a range of new weapon capabilities for the JSF, like enhanced electronic attack weapons and the ability to carry additional missiles.