WASHINGTON (AP) — A House panel has moved to revive the alternate engine for the next-generation F-35 fighter plane over the objections of Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who calls it wasteful spending.
The voice vote came Wednesday from the Armed Services subcommittee, which oversees land and air forces. The legislation would force the Pentagon to re-open competition if it has to ask Congress for more money so Pratt & Whitney can build the chosen engine. It’s for the next budget year.
The Pentagon recently notified the General Electric/Rolls Royce group that it had terminated its contract for the extra engine. Work on the engine was stopped a month ago, saving $1 million a day.
When Congress passed a long-delayed 2011 defense budget in April, it contained no money for the extra engine.
