The Next Great Engine War: Analysis and Recommendations for Managing the Joint Strike Fighter Engine Competition
Abstract
This thesis examines the competition between Pratt & Whitney (P&W) and General Electric Aircraft Engines (GEAE) to improve the engine for the air superiority fighter, the F-16. This first Great Engine War was an attempt by the U.S. Government to encourage Pratt & Whitney, the sole winner of the F-16 fighter engine propulsion contract, to be more responsive to shortcomings in the design and operation of its F100 engine. When P&W declared that any design changes would be out of the scope of the current contract, the government contracted with GEAE to produce an alternate engine design to compete with the F100 for F-16C/D Block 30 acquisition. The GEAE F110-GE-100 engine was successful and the competition did motivate P&W to improve their engine design as well. After describing the history of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program, the author derives recommendations from the first Great Engine War to guide the competition between P&W (F135 engine) and GEAE/Rolls Royce (F136 engine) to produce the engine for the JSF. His research yielded the following recommendations to guide future JSF engine acquisition: (1) strictly adhere to airframe commonality for either engine, (2) continue to purchase and support the engines as Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE), (3) ensure that competition criteria include supportability costs, (4) do not pursue a warranty strategy, (5) plan for competition on an annual basis, (6) maintain a concerted effort to encourage both competitors to attempt to win the maximum share, and (7) do not participate in a Component Improvement Program (CIP). The thesis includes interviews with stakeholders in the F-16 engine competition and the Joint Strike Fighter Program.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA443073
Entities
People
- Karl G. Amick
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School