The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) reacted to the saga that unfolded after the
What is known
To begin with, we recall that Greg Ulmer (GregUlmer, head of Lockheed Martin, said at the Paris Air Show that the F-35 Lightning II needs an adaptive engine. It will increase power and cooling, which is necessary before upgrading Block 4.
The adaptive powertrain is not compatible with the F-35B, so the CEO of Lockheed Martin believes that the F135 engine needs to be upgraded in parallel.Pratt & Whitney, the developer of the F135, said Lockheed was underminingthe decision of the Pentagon, which wants to improve the current power plant.
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JPO also insists on the need toEngine Core Upgrade (ECU). The office believes that the improvement will satisfy all future power needs of the fifth generation fighter. He supports the decision to modernize the F135 ECU, which was made after an analysis carried out jointly with the industry.
Lieutenant General Michael J.Schmidt, the JPO director, responded diplomatically when asked whether the F-35 program was at risk due to disputes between Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney. He expects industry partners to work together to meet the requirements set by the U.S. Department of Defense to ensure warfighters have what they need to accomplish their missions.