US poised to accept new F-35s without radars, sources say

(Michael Marrow, Valerie Insinna and Diana Stancy – Breaking Defense) Starting this fall, all new F-35 Joint Strike Fighters delivered to the American military will come without radars, an issue that could stretch into the future and restrict the jets from participating in combat operations, Breaking Defense has learned. In the best case, a new, redesigned radar could be ready as soon as next year, meaning only a handful of jets may be impacted. But if delays for the sensor stretch on, over a hundred jets may be delivered with a ballast where the new radar is supposed to be. Any aircraft delivered without a radar are expected to remain airworthy, but will have to be reserved for training and cannot be used in combat, two sources familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told Breaking Defense. – EXCLUSIVE: US poised to accept new F-35s without radars, sources say – Breaking Defense