General Electric-Rolls Royce issued a statement shortly after the hearing refuting Gates’ comments (see: Gates Questions F136 Performance, above). “The Secretary’s comments contradict the detailed assessment from the Department of Defense, which has consistently awarded very good and excellent ratings to the F136,” reads an excerpt. The Pentagon wants to ax the F136 in favor of Pratt & Whitney’s F135 as the sole powerplant for the F-35, but the F136 program continues to enjoy strong support on Capitol Hill. (GE-Rolls Royce statement)
The Air Force is upgrading some 70 MQ-9 Reapers to a new configuration that will keep the type capable and relevant to the near-peer fight for another 15 years. It awarded General Atomics a $272.3 million contract to enhance the Reaper's weapons, electric power, connectivity, and resistance to jamming, among…