Over the next decade, the Pentagon intends to modernize the F-35 fighter by introducing an arsenal of new weapons., computing technologies and software
These updates will make the aircraft a more combat-ready enemy., as Russia and China implement their own improvements in fighter and air defense systems
– noted in Defense News.
Wherein, as Jen Latka explains, Vice President, Pratt Engine Company & Whitney, updating the power plant is not included in the list of works. In his words, already now it is necessary to think about increasing its power and cooling, as well as reducing operating costs, because limits have been exceeded:
The F135 engine is already operating beyond its specifications, as new features were added to the F-35.
As explained by the manager of the said company, the severity of the problem will increase, when the Pentagon updates the F-35 with Refresh technology 3 (by installing a new kernel processor, memory unit and panoramic cockpit display) and will add hardware and software capabilities as part of the Block modification 4, which will increase the weight load and require more cooling of the aircraft.
Eric Fick, F-35 program manager for the Pentagon, recognized in July, that the engine will need to be upgraded to accommodate technology as part of the upgrade of the fighter to the Block level 4. However, it is not clear, whether the US Department of Defense will seek to improve the existing F135 design or move to an entirely new power plant. The Air Force is currently testing prototypes of three-stream adaptive engines., created by Pratt & Whitney и General Electric.
used photos:US Department of Defense website
