It’s official: The F-35 will not get a new engine anytime soon
After rancorous debate, a new engine for the stealth fighter was already in doubt, but legislation released by congressional appropriators today seemingly puts the issue to rest.
Honeywell unveils new F-35 thermal management fix as Pentagon hunts for better cooling
“Now that we understand that 80 kilowatts is a must-have, it was the mission of: how do we get there, with the lowest impact to the overall airframe?” Honeywell Aerospace’s Matt Milas told Breaking Defense in an exclusive interview.
Pratt & Whitney targets 2029 for upgraded F-35 engine deliveries
“Like all programs, the continuing resolution has the potential to have an impact. We have not worked through all the details if we had a sequestration scenario,” Pratt & Whitney's Jennifer Latka said about a stalled budget on Capitol Hill. “What I know now is that our schedule is on track, that we have identified funding to continue, and that’s not to say that that situation cannot change.”
As the heat rises with F-35 upgrades, inside Collins’s bet on a new cooling system
In a tour of Collins Aerospace's facilities, executives said their new thermal management solution for the F-35 achieved a key benchmark, though the Pentagon hasn't yet decided on a competition at all.
From a suspected spy balloon to a missing plane: 5 air warfare stories from 2023
"How in the hell do you lose an F-35?"
After Hamas attack, US rushed new F-35 capabilities, parts to Israel: Officials
A wide-ranging hearing on the F-35 revealed new details on the aircraft’s current operations, as well as its developmental struggles, including its beleaguered TR-3 upgrade.
As third test phase for XA100 adaptive engine wraps, GE mutes F-35 pitch
“Our objectives really are continuing to mature adaptive engine technology for a variety of platforms to continue to keep the industrial base healthy and strong,” said GE Aerospace’s David Tweedie.
1s and many 0s: RTX to sell cybersecurity unit for $1.3 billion
RTX, formerly Raytheon, did not identify the mystery buyer of one of its eight "strategic business units."
3 US aerospace primes actively facing off for Navy’s next-gen strike fighter, F/A-XX
The Navy confirms Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are officially vying for the right to build its next-gen fighter.
Race for new F-35 cooling system heats up, as DoD won’t rule out competition
A Honeywell Aerospace executive suggested Pratt & Whitney is improperly coordinating with fellow RTX subsidiary Collins Aerospace on modernization efforts for the F-35, but a Pratt VP denied the charge.
In reversal, Air Force wants prototype NGAD engines from both Pratt and GE: Official
"[R]ight now with the way we're funded, we think we can carry both [companies] through prototype, and both are leaning in fully. And so then we’ll let the prototype and test do the evaluation,” Air Force propulsion chief John Sneden said.
Air Force’s Kendall says servicemembers held ‘hostage’ by Tuberville confirmation blockade
Beyond politics, the Air Force Secretary weighed in on key items in the defense budget, citing concerns about potential cuts to NGAD funding and unnecessary bumps to an alternate F-35 engine.
Turbine ‘fatigue’ issue forced F-22 engine retrofit, Air Force says
The Air Force worked with engine-maker Pratt & Whitney to fix the planes in the field and during regular maintenance over three years.
Lockheed eyes locking down next F-35 production agreement by end of year
In an interview with Breaking Defense, Lockheed exec Greg Ulmer pushed back on the Pentagon's complaints about technical data sharing, and said the firm is working with the DoD on better ways to track spare parts.
Nukes, helos and amphibs: House authorizers pass their $874B policy bill 58-1
With a GOP-controlled House and a Democrat-controlled Senate, nothing in the bill is final until the last minute conference negotiations are completed, but here are the key issues to watch.