'Most significant evolution': US launches nearly billion dollar F-35 electronic warfare overhaul

The United States has launched a nearly billion Dollar upgrade programme for its fifth-generation stealth fighter fleet, focusing on electronic warfare modernisation and advanced combat capability enhancements for hundreds of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II jets operated by the US military and allied nations.

According to a US department of war, Lockheed Martin has secured a USD 991.1 million deal to produce and deliver 432 modification kits for F-35 fighter aircraft. The order covers 97 jets for the US Air Force, 54 for the US Marine Corps, 42 for the US Navy, 106 for Foreign Military Sales customers and 133 for non-US partner nations participating in the Joint Strike Fighter programme.



"Block 4 modernisation - over 70 major upgrades for all three F-35 variants - is the most significant evolution of F-35 capabilities to date, including increased missile capacity, advanced electronic warfare capabilities, improved target recognition and other, classified capabilities," Lockheed Martin said on the latest upgrades.

The latest modernisation effort is expected to significantly improve sensor fusion, survivability and electronic warfare performance in highly contested combat environments.

At the centre of the upgrade is the aircraft’s AN/ASQ-239 electronic warfare suite, developed by BAE Systems. The system currently provides radar warning, electronic attack, targeting support and countermeasure capabilities through an integrated architecture.

BAE Systems describes the AN/ASQ-239 as “the world’s most advanced, fully integrated electronic warfare and countermeasures technology”, capable of offering 360-degree situational awareness and helping pilots detect, analyse and respond to threats in signal-heavy environments. The company says the system delivers broadband protection, suppresses enemy radars and provides advanced radio frequency and infrared countermeasures.

The electronic warfare push comes amid reports that F-35 fighter jets operating near the Strait of Hormuz recently squawked transponder code 7700 — the internationally recognised emergency signal used by aircraft facing in-flight issues.

This comes as Iran, amid the Middle East crisis, has repeatedly claimed to have struck or downed F-35 fighter jets during regional hostilities. Iranian state media earlier reported that an advanced air-defence system operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had allegedly brought down a US F-35 over central Iran.

According to Iranian broadcaster Press TV, a spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters claimed a second US F-35 had been intercepted by a newly deployed IRGC Aerospace Force air-defence system, triggering a “massive explosion” and likely killing the pilot.

Iranian state broadcaster IRIB also carried similar reports, alleging that the aircraft belonged to the Lakenheath squadron and had been targeted by a modern Iranian air-defence system.

However, a later CNN report citing US defence officials said an F-35 had instead carried out an emergency landing following an Iranian surface-to-air missile barrage, with the pilot surviving the incident. US Central Command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins told CNN that the aircraft “landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition”.

The F-35 Lightning II remains one of the world’s most advanced and expensive fighter aircraft, with each jet costing more than USD 100 million depending on the variant. The stealth fighter is gradually becoming the backbone of fifth-generation air combat operations for the United States and allied militaries, with over 19 countries either operating or preparing to induct the aircraft into service.

The electronic warfare retrofit programme is expected to continue until March 2032.