F-35 Alternate Engine Program: Background and Issues for Congress

US Congress has rejected administration proposals to terminate the programme to develop the General Electric / Rolls-Royce F136 engine as an alternative to the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, which currently powers the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), for four successive years.

This report provides a detailed discussion on the alternate engine programme status, alternate engine funding under continuing resolutions, administration perspectives, independent cost analyses of the F-35 alternate engine, relations with allies and engine development issues.