The Air Force believes the Engine Component Improvement Program is increasingly important because fighters and their engines are remaining in service much longer than original plans, but officials say a recent funding cut approved by congressional authorizers could delay much-needed improvements to F-16 engines. The Engine CIP has been an Air Force priority in recent years because the program has achieved significant safety, reliability and maintainability improvements for high-performance fighter engines, according to service officials. But officials told InsideDefense.com yesterday...
