Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) does not believe the advantages of having an alternate F-35 engine outweigh the need to keep the Joint Strike Fighter cost in line and the program on schedule. Lieberman had support from JSF partner country—Australia. Rear Adm. Raydon W. Gates, head of the Australian Defense Staff in Washington, told the committee that his country’s highest priority is to maintain cost, schedule, and capability targets. “Affordability is a key project goal,” said Gates. He wants the Pentagon’s assurance, though, that cutting the F136 engine will keep the project on track and produce real cost savings in the aircraft’s production run.
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…
