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TechRadar
Efosa Udinmwen

US Marine Corps gets six 'blind' F-35B stealth fighters loaded with lead ballast instead of advanced radars — new APG-38 radar won't be available till 2028 and can't even be used at full capacity till 2031

US F-35 fighter jets.
  • Six new F-35Bs entered service carrying ballast inside their noses instead of radar
  • The APG-85 delay created stealth fighters without their primary sensor
  • Lot 17 redesign decisions eliminated compatibility with older radar hardware

The United States Marine Corps has accepted delivery of six newly built F-35B stealth fighters carrying ballast weights where a radar should be installed.

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