Episode Summary

In episode 45 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, F-35: Getting Healthy, or Hard Broke? Part 2, Mitchell Institute explores the status of America’s newest fighter engine with top experts from Pratt and Whitney. Fighter aircraft are generally viewed by the general public as airframes—their fuselages, wings, and tail giving them unmistakable, unique shapes. However, it takes incredibly sophisticated jet engine technology to bring these airplanes to life. The F-35’s engine is a game changer—embodying state of the art materials and design techniques that have revolutionized jet propulsion. Bottom line, no fighter has ever been fitted with such a powerful engine. But inventing new technology involves challenges and the F-35’s engine is no exception to this process. Improvements need to be made to deliver on key reliability and cost targets that will allow the F-35 to meet long-term objectives. Learn more about this process by hearing from key engine team members.

Credits

Host:  Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Maj Gen (ret.) Larry “Stutz” Stutzriem, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Maj (ret.) Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Amanda Glode, Executive Director for F135 Sustainment, Pratt and Whitney

Guest: Tim “Picard” Forsythe, Lead Integrator for the Combat Air Forces, Pratt and Whitney

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