F-35 C2D2

The PE 0604840M: F-35B C2D2 program is a Navy Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) line item focused on the Continuous Capability Development & Delivery (C2D2) of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, specifically the F-35B Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant. The overarching goal of this program is to incrementally modernize and upgrade the F-35 air system to maintain joint air dominance against evolving threats. C2D2 efforts are designed to provide ongoing warfighting capability improvements, including hardware and software upgrades, weapons integration, and system enhancements, in coordination with the United States Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and international partners.

Utility and Subsystem Support to Mission Systems focuses on upgrading the Power Thermal Management System (PTMS), Fuel Thermal Management System (FTMS), and Electrical Power System (EPS) to meet increased cooling and electrical demands from new mission systems. The Power Thermal Management Upgrade (PTMU) program aims to address thermal loads that exceed original design parameters, which can reduce engine life and increase lifecycle costs. Plans include continued non-recurring engineering for PTMS, FTMS, and EPS upgrades, such as larger heat exchangers and increased system pressure, to support future mission system requirements and ensure operational viability.

Air Vehicle - Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) is a hardware and software modernization effort to develop and certify the Integrated Core Processor (ICP), Aircraft Memory System (AMS), and Panoramic Cockpit Display Electronics Unit (PCD-EU, PCD-DU). TR-3 introduces new backplane technology and commercial operating systems to support Block 3F and Block 4 capabilities. Activities focus on final laboratory system integration, flight test, and certification for fleet fielding, ensuring sufficient processing capacity for future upgrades and maintaining long-term system viability.

Air Vehicle Block 4 Planning & Systems Engineering encompasses requirements decomposition, preliminary design, and developmental flight testing for advanced Block 4 capabilities. The Block 4 modernization effort is structured around software-based capability development, hardware upgrades, and new weapons integration to counter near-peer threats. Objectives include expanding agile development for radar, electronic warfare, electro-optical/infrared, and communication/navigation/identification subsystems, as well as enhancing cyber resilience and interoperability. Additional investments are made in Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) communications and digital infrastructure to accelerate capability delivery.

Test and Evaluation (T&E) supports integrated test activities at government and contractor sites, including developmental and operational testing, flight test instrumentation, and lab modernization. The T&E line funds service life extension for test aircraft, upgrades to test infrastructure, and validation of Block 4 capabilities. Plans include continued support for flight and ground testing, procurement of test mission assets, and digital infrastructure improvements to enable high-fidelity modeling and simulation for capability verification.

Propulsion (PP) funds developmental efforts for the F135 engine and associated systems, including the Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) as part of the Engine, Power, and Thermal Management Modernization (EPM) program. The objective is to improve engine life, affordability, and provide additional power and cooling for future mission systems. Activities include risk reduction design, procurement of long-lead materials for ground test engines, and transition of flight test support to organic capability, with a strategic focus on supporting Block 4 requirements.

Maintenance Systems (MxS) supports the transition from the legacy Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) to the new Operational Data Integrated Network (ODIN), which provides modernized logistics and maintenance information for the F-35 fleet. Goals include completion of ODIN hardware and software modernization, centralization of country-level data, and deployment of containerized software to improve fleet management, readiness, and data integrity. The program leverages agile software development and cloud-based infrastructure to reduce costs and enhance operational efficiency.

Combat Data Systems (CDS) invests in modernization of mission data hardware, reprogramming tools, and mission planning environments. Objectives include continued agile development of Common Reprogramming Tools (CRT), upgrades to Reprogramming Verification & Validation Systems (RVVS), and deployment of Next Generation Open Mission System (NOMS) software. These efforts aim to reduce mission data file development time, improve cyber resilience, and enhance interoperability for electronic warfare and mission planning.

Training Systems and Simulation (TSS) develops and aligns training capabilities with air system upgrades, focusing on Block 4 capability integration, Distributed Mission Training (DMT), and Live-Virtual-Constructive (LVC) environments. Plans include development of the Production Runtime Server (PRTS) for TR-3 training, modernization of training system architecture, and expansion of the Joint Simulation Environment (JSE) to support operational testing and verification of new capabilities.

Infrastructure and Support Costs fund the acquisition and product support workforce, program management, IT, cybersecurity, and audit readiness initiatives necessary to oversee C2D2 development efforts. Increases reflect investments in audit support (FIAR compliance), planning, and expanded reporting responsibilities to ensure transparency and effective management of modernization activities.

DevSecOps supports the F-35 software development, security, and operations cloud platform, enabling rapid capability delivery and modernization across multiple project management offices. Activities include continued development of a centralized software environment, migration to model-based systems engineering, and enhancement of cybersecurity compliance. The program aims to consolidate tools, reduce infrastructure costs, and accelerate fleet software updates.

F-35 USMC Unique funds Marine Corps-specific operational testing, engineering support, and emerging requirements, including durability testing for the F-35B STOVL variant and cybersecurity assessments. Objectives include capability development for collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) integration, continued durability testing, and expanded operational test activities to verify service life and support new mission profiles. These efforts ensure the USMC's unique operational needs are addressed within the broader F-35 modernization strategy.