The 2007 defense authorization bill confirms Congressional desire to keep a second engine program going for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, despite Pentagon objections. The authorization act requires DOD to keep two engines in development and procurement and to provide three separate and independent cost analyses of the JSF engine program. The measure slows somewhat advance procurement, citing program delays and concern over too rapid development. (The companion spending bill funds the alternate engine and advance procurement for 12 JSFs.)
BAE Systems has received a contract from Lockheed Martin to install an upgraded Block 4 electronic warfare system into new F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, as well as to retrofit some older jets.
