Pentagon Finalizing Fix to F-35 Jet’s Faulty Software Program

The US Department of Defense and defense contractor Lockheed Martin are close to fixing a software glitch that causes the F-35 stealth fighter’s systems to freeze, Joint Program Office chief Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan said after a hearing of the US Senate Armed Services Committee.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The problem was due to the F-35’s original 3i software, which forced a reboot of the plane’s systems every few hours.

"I’ll make a decision at the end of this week whether that version of 3i software is [the problem], I’m leaning towards it being it," Bogdan told reporters on Tuesday. "That’s going to be the version of software that the Air Force declares IOC [initial operating capability] with."

Bogdan explained that the Joint Program Office and F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin identified the problem and are testing updated software.

He admitted, however, that the test took longer than expected and delayed the final software increment by at least four months. The final software increment is now expected to be finished in fall of 2017.

Since its inception, the F-35 jet has been beset with problems, including wings that crack, poor pilot visibility, faulty radar, ejection seats that do not work and a multitude of other problems.