An enhanced variant of the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine was confirmed on July 16 to have successfully completed the preliminary design review, placing it on schedule to be integrated on to future variants of the F- 35 fifth generation fighter before 2030. Developed under the Engine Core Upgrade program, the powerplant was developed as an alternative to work on the Adaptive Engine Transition Program which had been intended to provide a clean sheet new powerplant for the F-35 with revolutionary new capabilities. The much more conservative Engine Core Upgrade program will provide far less ambitious specifications, lacking key features such as a “third stream” of bypass air system for greater efficiency and cooling and an adaptive cycle intended to significantly increase thrust and endurance. Benefits of the Engine Core Upgrade, however, include a much lower development cost than developing and entirely new engine, as well as commonality of maintenance with the several hundred baseline F135s already built. Where the Adaptive Engine Transition Program was expected to only be compatible with the Air Force and Navy’s F-35A and F-35C models, the enhanced F135 developed under the Engine Core Upgrade program will also be compatible with the Marine Corps’ F-35B.
Poster Comment:
The F-35 sucks. Iranian and Russian radar can detect them so they ain't stealthy.