Auditors from the US Government Accountability Office have challenged the Department of Defense's assumptions about the cost of the alternate engine for the Lockheed Martin F-35. Assumptions based on flawed data comprise about 37% of the $2.9 billion Pentagon's projected cost to support development and competitive production of the General Electric/Rolls-Royce F136, the GAO says. Meanwhile, the US Congress is divided on the funding debate, with the Senate rejecting a House proposal to add about $450 million to 2011's budget to continue F136 development. The final version of the bill may not be finalised for several months.

GE/Rolls-Royce F136
 © GE/Rolls-Royce

Source: Flight International

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