London Press Can’t Save Alternate JSF Engine: British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s volley to save the Joint Strike Fighter alternate engine contract for the GE-Rolls Royce team was returned with no joy by President Bush. According to Reuters news service, Blair broached the subject during two videoconferences with the President and in a letter—all to no avail as the Administration attempts to cut the Pentagon budget.
With upgrades, F-16s can serve as a numbers-builder in the combat air forces until the 2040s, and it’s not necessary to launch its successor yet, program officials said at an industry conference. “We anticipate hundreds of F-16s in active service for decades to come,” meaning into the 2040s, Col. Tim…