JSF Alternate Engine Hits Congressional Headwinds

Aviation Week ans Space Technology ^ | 12/15/2010 | Michael Bruno

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

The General Electric-Rolls Royce F136 alternate engine for the Joint Strike Fighter program looked increasingly vulnerable Dec. 15 when efforts to prolong the controversial program appeared to be losing steam in Congress.

In separate but related actions Dec. 14-15, defense lawmakers and their aides said they have worked out a quick compromise to help pass defense authorization legislation for Fiscal 2011, not including an earmark for the engine, while a Senate Democratic appropriations proposal that included F136 language ran into growing conservative opposition.

The authorization measure – stripped down after a provision to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy stopped an earlier version – does not authorize or restrict obligations for the F-35 engines or aircraft, leaving the fate of the F136 in the hands of appropriators.

“Because of the unique circumstances in which the bill is being considered and the importance of the legislation to our men and women serving in uniform at a time of war, we have agreed to drop many controversial provisions that were included in the House and Senate versions of the bill,” explained Sens. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and ranking Republican John McCain (Ariz.).

The House version of the compromise was introduced there late Dec. 15. A 29-page summary provided by departing House Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) only mentioned the JSF in the context of a potential naval tactical aircraft shortfall