Blame the Navy:
Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) says he is very concerned about the Pentagon decision to terminate the alternate engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The Chairman of the Armed Services Committee told the Air Force’s top two leaders on Thursday that he and ranking member Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) have asked for a special hearing on the subject. The committee needs to have a “better understanding” of how the decision originated and what consultation took place, maintained Warner. In response, Air Force Secretary Michel Wynne noted the increased “reliability” of modern engines, but, he added, that it was a Navy idea to which the Air Force “did not object.”
Air Force Eyes New-Build F-16s to Boost Fighter Force
Sept. 16, 2026
The Air Force will consider acquiring new F-16 Fighting Falcon jets to answer capacity shortfalls in its aging fighter fleet, according to multiple people familiar with the matter. These discussions are happening as the Air Force is building its proposed fiscal 2028 budget and the five-year spending plan that goes…


