Controversy Surrounds Choice of Next-Gen Engine for F-35.

Lockheed Martin's executive vice president of aeronautics, Greg Ulmer, has backed the Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP) as an alternative to the F135 engine that powers the F-35. Ulmer believes that the AETP engine will provide greater thrust, fuel efficiency, and aircraft performance improvement. The advocacy of the jet’s prime contractor on behalf of AETP is a blow to incumbent engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, which is seeking to continue its lock on powering the tri-variant fleet. Despite the Air Force’s decision to shutter AETP as part of its fiscal 2024 budget request, Ulmer insisted that interest in AETP prevails in the halls of the Pentagon.