Pratt & Whitney says its ground-test F-35 Joint Strike Fighter engines have logged more than 4,000 system development and demonstration hours. The F135 jet engine is slated to power the F-35 in flight tests to begin next year.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.