The Air Force’s words are not very reassuring to James Guyette, CEO of Rolls Royce North America. He told the Senate Armed Services Committee that, if the F136 engine actually is canceled, Pratt & Whitney will enjoy an engine monopoly for the life of the 5,000 aircraft JSF run. This, said Guyette, would effectively eliminate Rolls and GE from the tactical fighter engine market for the foreseeable future. Sen. John Warner (R-Va.), the panel’s chairman, said the US faced a “gargantuan” decision.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.