Original quote by Lonewolf_50:
The decision was made at high levels in government, secretarial level, to put all eggs in one basket. Over a decade ago.
Original quote by ORAC:
Hmmm. Remind me, just about when was the F136 engine cancelled?
The decision was made decade ago by the UTC/PWA lobby in Washington to eliminate the competition as the Pratt engine was far superior compared to the GE/Rolls Royce engine, and the Connecticut Congressional delegation agreed, they didn't want to lose another engine war. Actual funding continued through part of 2011 and then GE/RR self funded to the end of 2011. Somewhere there are six engines encased in bubble wrap, preserved as a reminder to dimwits in Washington that they are still dimwits.
December 2, 2011
Joint Statement From GE and Rolls-Royce
The GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team (FET) has reached the decision to discontinue self-funded development of the F136 engine for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) beyond 2011.
The decision, reached jointly by GE and Rolls-Royce leadership, recognizes the continued uncertainty in the development and production schedules for the JSF Program.
"GE and Rolls-Royce are proud of our technology advancements and accomplishments on the F136," said Dan McCormick, President of the FET. "However, difficult circumstances are converging that impact the potential benefit of a self-funded development effort."
With the F136 engine development almost 80 percent complete, the Department of Defense terminated the program in April of this year. Following termination, the GE Rolls-Royce FET had offered to self-fund F136 development through fiscal year 2012, but will now end its development work. The FET will continue to fulfill its termination responsibilities with the federal government.
For 15 years, the FET has developed a competitive fighter engine for JSF with the world's most advanced propulsion technologies, including numerous patented technologies from both companies.
Before the program was terminated, six F136 development engines had accumulated more than 1,200 hours of testing since early 2009. The FET consistently delivered on cost and on schedule, and was rewarded with high marks by the Department of Defense in a successful joint venture between GE and Rolls-Royce.
Throughout the F136 program, GE and Rolls-Royce have been leading advocates of defense acquisition reform - offering unique and aggressive fixed-price proposals for F136 production engines for the JSF program.
"GE and Rolls-Royce are deeply grateful to our many Congressional supporters on both sides of the aisle over these many years as well as the military experts who have supported competing engines for JSF," said McCormick. "We do not waver in our belief that competition is central to meaningful defense acquisition reform."
Source: Rolls-Royce, GE
Original quote by Lonewolf_50:
Other nations may have more flex in making a choice to opt out.
Canada will have the first opportunity to do so by selecting the FA-18 E/Fs. I would suspect others to follow if the program keeps aging and more costly with far less capability than was originally promised.
Original quote by Hempy:
Strangely enough, Spaz, Engines, JSFan et al have been noticeably quiet of late
Tis what happens when all the photo ops and the manufacture's propaganda dries up while good news fades into a distant memory…
Much of the GE owned technology developed for the F136 will be apparent in the new commercial engines, soon to become a reality…