Aerospace Group:

Air Force

No Power and Thermal Management System Chosen Yet for F135 ECU, GAO Says

Frank Wolfe

Tuesday, May 30th, 2023

SHARE:

No Power and Thermal Management System Chosen Yet for F135 ECU, GAO Says

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, taxis during the Arctic Gold 23-2 exercise at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska on April 18th (U.S. Air Force Photo)

The U.S. Air Force's fiscal 2024 budget asks for $245 million for Raytheon Technologies' [RTX] F135 Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) for the Lockheed Martin [LMT] F-35 and cancels a new adaptive cycle engine for the fighter, but DoD has yet to determine what power and thermal management system (PTMS) it will use for ECU, according to a new GAO report, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter: More Actions Needed to Explain Cost Growth and Support Engine Modernization Decision (GAO-23-106047). The F135 will…

Space

Upgrading Current GPS Ground System “Now a Viable Option,” As GPS OCX Problems Continue, Space Official Says

Upgrades to the GPS ground system–the Architecture Evolution Plan (AEP)–is an option under consideration by the Defense Department’s space acquisition chief, as problems continue in fielding the GPS Next Generation […]

Congress

Graham Says GOP To Move Ahead On Second Reconciliation Bill, With Defense Funds As Priority

Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Wednesday, with the White House’s backing, his panel will move “expeditiously” on crafting a second reconciliation bill, citing priorities for defense and […]

Pentagon

Hegseth Acknowledges Potential $200 Billion Iran Supplemental Request, Final Figure ‘Could Move’

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday acknowledged the Pentagon could potentially ask Congress for $200 billion in supplemental funding to support the ongoing operation against Iran and replenish munitions used […]

Congress

Counter-Drone Flyaway Kit Used In U.S. In Early Hours Of Iran Strikes, NORTHCOM Head Says

U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) used a counter small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) flyaway kit (FAK) in the early hours of the strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, according to Air […]