Enhanced Engine Program News Today

The original design requirements for the F-35’s Pratt and Whitney (Pratt) F135 engine were crafted in late 1990s

Fighter engines are incredibly complex machines. We may think of them as things that merely produce thrust, but every engine is born with indelible traits and functions that culminate in the success of the fighter it powers. Thrust is at the top of the list, but an engine’s appetite for fuel, its ability to provide cooling and electrical power for system components and its durability establish the paradigms of performance for the weapons system.

As the military decides between upgrading what it’s got and starting fresh, the Heritage Foundation’s John “JV” Venable argues the more expensive option now will save in the long run.

The Enhanced Engine Program upgrade for the F-35 would save billions of dollars.