The US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps may develop individual F135 engine upgrade requirements for the F-35A, F-35B and F-35C fighters

The US military and authorities continue to seek solutions to the problem of F135 engine overheating in the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jets. The aircraft are in service with the US Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. It has been learned that each service can develop unique requirements for engine upgrades.

Here's What We Know

The F-35 Joint Program Office (F-35 Joint Program Office) has made a statement to that effect. At the moment, the cooling system is overloaded, requiring the Pratt & Whitney F135 to operate beyond its design specifications.

The problem is with the power and temperature control system. It needs more air pressure to provide cooling than originally intended. The need to operate at higher temperatures shortens the life of the propulsion system.

The F-35 fighter exists in three variants. The base, the F-35A, is the main export and is in service with the US Air Force. The F-35B is a short take-off and vertical landing variant. The F-35C is a deck-based aircraft that lands using an aero-finisher.

If all three services develop unique upgrade requirements for the F135, it would make the fighters more complex, and would also likely result in higher aircraft costs and higher maintenance costs.

The engine modernization program is currently estimated at $38bn, with the total cost of the F-35 program including development and production over 77 years to reach $1.3bn. But the fifth-generation fighter is already the most expensive weapon system in the world.

Source: Defense One