Aircraft
GE and Rolls-Royce Abandon Alternative F-35 Engine
GE Aviation and Rolls-Royce ended their self-funded development of an alternative engine for the F-35,
GE and Rolls-Royce will no longer fund development of the F136 engine option for the Joint Strike Fighter. (Photo: GE Aviation)
GE and Rolls-Royce will no longer fund development of the F136 engine option for the Joint Strike Fighter. (Photo: GE Aviation)

GE Aviation and Rolls-Royce ended their self-funded development of an alternative engine for the F-35, bowing to Pentagon opposition and looming, deep reductions in U.S. defense spending. The engine manufacturers announced their decision in a joint statement on December 2, citing “continued uncertainty in the development and production schedules” of the Lockheed Martin F-35 JSF.