With the F135 engine already powering all variants of the F-35, Pratt & Whitney feels a core upgrade would be the best upgrade option for the wider programme. (US Department of Defense)
Pratt & Whitney (P&W) is expecting to get greater clarity on the Joint Program Office's (JPO's) advanced engine plans for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) later in 2022.
Jennifer Latka, vice-president (VP) for the F135 engine programme at P&W, spoke to Janes ahead of the Farnborough Airshow. She said that the anticipated publication in the third quarter of 2022 of a JPO business case analysis on the future engine options should provide clarity as to whether the programme intends to go with a core upgrade to the incumbent F135, or whether it might consider fitting an entirely new engine altogether.
“I wish I could say with certainty when a decision might come, but the JPO is now doing a business case analysis that is looking at various options, and that will be ready in the fall [third quarter] of 2022. That is a point in time when there will be more information released,” Latka told Janes .
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