Engine Alternatives (updated)

Rep. Buck McKeon (R-CA), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, spoke at the Heritage Foundation this morning about the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter’s alternate engine program, an initiative that the Pentagon has long sought to cancel:

GE and Rolls Royce are aware of the current stresses on the defense budget and the taxpayer. So I'm pleased to announce that instead of being part of the problem, they have decided to be part of the solution. Instead of lobbying for the final 20 percent needed to finish the engine, the GE team has committed to funding the engine for fiscal year 12 on their own dime. I will accept and support their approach. They believe in their engine and they believe in competition.

Thanks to their willingness to compromise, we'll break up a monopoly; potentially harvest billions in savings, while fielding a more capable, more robust fighter jet -- all at zero cost to the taxpayer. That sort of acquisition reform from the defense industry should be rewarded and applauded at every opportunity and I thank GE and Rolls Royce for coming to us with a smart, viable solution to a tough problem.

UPDATE:

McKeon told reporters after his speech he is hopeful the Defense Department would be willing to supervise the final training of the alternate engine, despite the fact that defense officials successfully advocated for its termination.

“Their complaint was, at least their basis for shutting it down was, that we couldn’t afford it,” McKeon said. “So, if GE is going to pay for it, there should not be another objection, I would imagine.”

When asked how to GE might be provided access to governmental facilities, McKeon said he had not discussed the issue but suggested it would be taken care of in legislation. He noted that he does not believe the alternate engine will need funding past FY-12.