The U.S. Navy has officially confirmed that at least six F‑35B aircraft have been delivered without radars as part of the joint F‑35 program. The delay is due to the new AN/APG‑85 radar, slated for production in 2028. To keep the production line moving, the jets are equipped with balance weights in the nose instead of the radar. Until the new radar is installed, these aircraft will not be used for combat missions and will serve primarily for training and to maintain delivery schedules.