Overtaxed F-35 engines rack up $38 billion in extra maintenance costs

F-35 takeoff

Source: Lockheed Martin

US government auditors say a failure to improve output and cooling capacity on the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine powering the Lockheed Martin F-35, while simultaneously increasing the load from heat-producing sensors and radar, has significantly increased wear on the powerplant and the cost of keeping the fifth-generation type flying.

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