F-136 engine stop work order issued

WASHINGTON - The Department of Defense Thursday issued a stop work order on the F-136 engine being developed by General Electric and Rolls-Royce for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The administration and DoD oppose the extra engine as a waste of taxpayer dollars. The stop work order will remain in place pending final resolution of the program's future, for a period not to exceed 90 days, unless extended by agreement of the government and the contractor. The F-35's primary engine is the Pratt and Whitney F135. (Source: DoD, 03/24/11, GE response, 03/24/11) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the JSF training center.