General Electric-Rolls Royce issued a statement shortly after the hearing refuting Gates’ comments (see: Gates Questions F136 Performance, above). “The Secretary’s comments contradict the detailed assessment from the Department of Defense, which has consistently awarded very good and excellent ratings to the F136,” reads an excerpt. The Pentagon wants to ax the F136 in favor of Pratt & Whitney’s F135 as the sole powerplant for the F-35, but the F136 program continues to enjoy strong support on Capitol Hill. (GE-Rolls Royce statement)
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
