L3Harris Achieves 1,000th Shipset Milestone for Major Elements of F-35 TR3 Program
L3Harris has reached a significant milestone, delivering its 1,000th Shipset for two advanced airborne processing components under the Tech Refresh 3 (TR3) program for the F-35, the world’s most advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft. Since initiating deliveries in 2022, the Panoramic Cockpit Display Electronic Unit (PCD-EU) and Aircraft Memory System (AMS) have established new benchmarks in manufacturing discipline and field reliability.
“We built the most advanced airborne processing infrastructure available and scaled it to full production at speed with the quality to match,” said Eric DiStasi, President of Airborne Solutions at L3Harris. “Most importantly, our hardware performs – in testing and in the field.”
Built for the Warfighter. Delivered at Scale.
The PCD-EU and AMS are two of the three core components of TR3 produced by L3Harris, forming a crucial part of the integrated suite of mission systems that underpins the F-35’s combat capabilities. This milestone marks 1,000 deliveries for each system, reflecting a high-performing, disciplined manufacturing operation tailored to meet the rigorous demands of fifth-generation fighter production.
These components significantly enhance the F-35’s capabilities, offering a 37-fold increase in processing power and 20 times the data storage compared to legacy systems. This upgrade substantially improves the aircraft’s computing power, sensor performance, and combat effectiveness, providing pilots with better situational awareness and decision-making capabilities during challenging missions.
L3Harris has consistently maintained a robust production tempo, supporting both new aircraft production and extensive upgrades for the existing F-35 fleet, showcasing the necessary manufacturing rigor essential for complex defense programs at this magnitude.
Reliability That Speaks for Itself
The true measure of performance lies in real-world application. L3Harris’s advanced airborne processing systems have demonstrated reliability that goes beyond program expectations, with the F-35 fleet exceeding 1 million flight hours.
“In the demanding environments the F-35 operates in, reliability isn’t optional,” DiStasi emphasized. “The warfighter deserves hardware they can depend on, and L3Harris is delivering just that.”
Setting the Standard for What’s Ahead
The achievement of the 1,000 Shipset milestone coincides with the program’s ramp-up to maximum-rate production, which accommodates the continuous need for new and retrofitted F-35 aircraft. The third TR3 component, the Integrated Core Processor (ICP), is expected to reach full-rate production by 2025, ensuring the deployment of enhanced mission systems at the scale necessary for warfighter demands.
The high-quality manufacturing and proven reliability that have characterized the PCD-EU and AMS programs create a strong standard for what advanced airborne processing can achieve. For warfighters facing increasingly complex and contested environments, such standards are crucial, and L3Harris is dedicated to meeting them.
Source: L3Harris (2026-10-19)
