Air Force Magazine reports that the conference version of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act shows that the United States wants new engines to be installed in current and future F-35s by 2027.
The US military will need to reconsider re-engineering its F-35s by the end of this decade. The F-16s and A-10C Thunderbolts are nearing the end of their lives, which means the F-35 will have a heavy workload for the US military. Under the Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP), the US Air Force has already begun work on developing engines that can provide more power or air range when needed.
Air Force Magazine reports that Congress has requested details of engine acquisition strategies and financial considerations that the Air Force will apply to its F-35As re-engagement plan. The development cost of the adaptive engine transition program AETP is likely to be very high which the Air Force alone cannot afford. The US Navy also uses a variety of F-35s.
General Electric (GE) and Pratt & Whitney, who have been contracted to develop the AETP adaptive engine transition program, are testing their designs, which are encouraging. According to the report, the new engines offer a 30% increase in range or a 40% increase in durability. Further, the power of the new engine prototypes has improved significantly, but companies are ready to build new types of engines before 2027. "
The report states that a model of AETP could be developed for the US Navy, although Congress wants the Navy to allocate a portion of its budget to it, the report said. With the Block 4 upgrade to the F-35, future aircraft will need an improved propulsion system to take advantage of them. If AETP or its model cannot be deployed, the Navy may choose the Enhanced Engine Package (EEP) that Pratt and Whitney are proposing for the F135s engines that currently power the F-35s.
The US military will need to reconsider re-engineering its F-35s by the end of this decade. The F-16s and A-10C Thunderbolts are nearing the end of their lives, which means the F-35 will have a heavy workload for the US military. Under the Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP), the US Air Force has already begun work on developing engines that can provide more power or air range when needed.
Air Force Magazine reports that Congress has requested details of engine acquisition strategies and financial considerations that the Air Force will apply to its F-35As re-engagement plan. The development cost of the adaptive engine transition program AETP is likely to be very high which the Air Force alone cannot afford. The US Navy also uses a variety of F-35s.
General Electric (GE) and Pratt & Whitney, who have been contracted to develop the AETP adaptive engine transition program, are testing their designs, which are encouraging. According to the report, the new engines offer a 30% increase in range or a 40% increase in durability. Further, the power of the new engine prototypes has improved significantly, but companies are ready to build new types of engines before 2027. "
The report states that a model of AETP could be developed for the US Navy, although Congress wants the Navy to allocate a portion of its budget to it, the report said. With the Block 4 upgrade to the F-35, future aircraft will need an improved propulsion system to take advantage of them. If AETP or its model cannot be deployed, the Navy may choose the Enhanced Engine Package (EEP) that Pratt and Whitney are proposing for the F135s engines that currently power the F-35s.
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