Senate Could Stop JSF Alternative Engine
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By Michael Bruno
The U.S. Senate has thrown a surprise twist into the ongoing debate over pursuing a second engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, adopting language that could eventually block the General Electric/Rolls-Royce F136 in the 2010 defense budget.
For the past several years, Congress has many times earmarked and passed unrequested money for the F136. But on July 23 the Senate adopted by voice vote an amendment to that chamber’s annual defense authorization bill that would first require a certification from the Pentagon that a so-called alternative engine would cut the overall program’s cost. That is unlikely since Defense Department leadership for years has been arguing that a second engine is unnecessary and could lead to sacrificing aircraft manufacturing.
The amendment was authored by Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I), who strongly advocates for the incumbent Pratt & Whitney F135 engine. “The Department of Defense has long said that it neither wants nor intends to use an engine other than the one currently produced by Pratt & Whitney,” he said.
That is not entirely true, however. While Pentagon and Air Force leadership have officially rejected calls for the F136 since the George W. Bush administration, JSF program leaders have repeatedly stressed that an alternative engine is not a bad idea — assuming it does not come at the cost of building fewer JSFs.
Indeed, President Barack Obama has lobbed a veto threat toward Capitol Hill if it sends him a bill that promotes a second engine at the cost of disrupting the program. The veto threat was cited by some senators, especially Senate Armed Services Committee ranking Republican John McCain (Ariz.).
But F136 supporters noted after the floor debate that the Senate’s defense authorization bill would have to be rectified with the House version, and then there is still the appropriations process. F136 earmarks exist in the House’s defense policy and spending bills, and another expected in the Senate’s spending bill.
“The funding battle over the GE Rolls-Royce F136 fighter engine for the JSF is far from over,” GE Aviation spokesman Rick Kennedy said. “The argument for an engine competition for the JSF, the largest fighter program in US history, is simply too compelling.”
After adopting the Lieberman amendment, the Senate also rejected another amendment proposed by Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh (D) to provide for continued development of the F136 and additional amounts, with an offset, for UH-1Y/AH-1Z helicopters and JSF program management reserves.
The Senate was expected to pass its version of the defense authorization by July 24.
Photo: Architect of the Capitol
