The U.S. military will begin accepting F-35 Joint Strike Fighters without primary operational radars starting in fall 2026. Production delays for the next-generation AN/APG-85 radar drove the decision. New aircraft bulkheads are incompatible with the older APG-81 radar systems.
These incomplete jets will be restricted to training purposes and will not be combat-ready. The U.S. Marine Corps will receive the first radar-less F-35B variants within months of the start date. The Air Force and Navy are scheduled to receive their versions later that year.
Persistent delays could force expensive retrofits for more than 100 advanced fighters. This prospect raises significant concerns regarding program costs and fleet readiness.