What Happened
Air Force Opens Door to New Suppliers Amid Decades-Long Duopoly
The US Air Force is exploring alternative engines for the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II and Lockheed Martin F-16, marking a potential challenge to the decades-long dominance of Pratt & Whitney and GE Aerospace in the market. A recently issued Request for Information invites industry proposals for a future multiyear engine procurement program, with the Air Force expecting demand for up to 180 engines annually by fiscal year 2034. The initiative is driven by persistent problems within the current industrial base, including production delays and supply chain concerns. This development was first reported by Air Data News.