General Electric received $303 million to develop an adaptive cycle engine for the F-35 Lightning II and the sixth-generation fighter

General Electric continues to develop an engine with an adaptive cycle. To achieve the goal, the U.S. Air Force has allocated an additional $303 million to the company.

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The manufacturer received $203 million for "technology improvements and risk reduction." Nearly $100 million more will go toward research and development. The contract is due by December 2024.

General Electric is developing the XA100 engine, which will be used in the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jet instead of the Pratt & Whitney F135. The XA100 will also be installed in the sixth-generation fighter, which will appear in the middle of the next decade.

Pratt & Whitney is also working on an adaptive cycle engine. However, it proposes to keep it specifically for the sixth generation fighter. At the same time, the manufacturer recommends upgrading the F135 engines in the F-35 Lightning II aircraft.

Source: Pentagon