GE, Rolls halt tests on US F-35 alternate engine
General Electric Co
Tests in Cincinnati last weekend revealed dings and nicks on the turbine blades but no damage to the compressor or the fan. The engine was running normally at the time of the shutdown, GE and Rolls said in a joint statement.
It's why you run jet engines to their limits during the development program -- to identify potential issues, the statement said.
More details are expected in a few days.
Lockheed Martin Corp
A fan blade tip broke in testing of the main engine in September. Modifications are minor and will result in little to no disruption in cost or scheduling, Pratt said last month.
Congressional negotiators agreed on Tuesday to include $560 million in the current fiscal year to pay for the alternate engine. The Obama administration has opposed funding for it.
(Reporting by Andrea Shalal-Esa; Editing by Gary Hill)
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