The F‑35 joint program confirmed that six F‑35B aircraft have been delivered to the U.S. Navy without their AN/APG‑85 radar, due to production delays that push the first operational radars beyond 2028. The GAO reports the F‑35 family’s full‑mission combat readiness has fallen from 38% in 2020 to 25% in 2025, though the program office disputes this, citing a 56% rate. While the radar‑less B‑models lack full combat capability, they can still operate using passive sensors and data links with other F‑35s for limited missions.