An update known as the Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) has been developed to solve these issues but there are those in Washington who are opposed to the ECU and prefer instead to fund a project known as the Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP). This would mean entirely replacing the F-35 engine with a new one built from scratch in the middle of the program, which would cause several issues.

Originally produced in 2009, the F135 engine has exceeded nearly all engineering expectations. With increased thrust and thermal management capacity, adaptive controls, advanced materials, and design-for-sustainment modular architecture, the F135 engine is a testament to the military’s advanced technological innovation.

Engine maker Pratt & Whitney (P&W) is moving forward with plans to upgrade power plants on the USA’s fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighters.