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The United States accelerated capability updates for Israel’s F-35 fighters after the Hamas attack on October 7, according to Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt, the head of the Joint Strike Fighter program.

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Lt. Gen. Schmidt, addressing reporters following a hearing with the House Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, confirmed the rapid provision of enhanced capabilities to Israel’s F-35 fleet. While declining to specify the exact capabilities provided, Schmidt told lawmakers, “We have added some capabilities to that airplane in a very short period of time. Our team is doing everything we can to continue to move the ball forward there.”

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At the same hearing, Bill LaPlante, US Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, mentioned the F-35 program’s ability to expedite updating mission data files to a nation within a week or so. LaPlante described these mission data files as crucial for combat, containing vital operational information. He acknowledged the program’s need for improvement in this area but noted the progress made in rapidly updating these files.

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Additionally, LaPlante highlighted that 35 of Israel’s 39 F-35s are currently operational, attributing this to increased sustainment support.

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