2/16/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates Feb. 15 welcomed the full House of Representatives vote to kill the extra engine for the F-35 Lighting II, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said.
The House voted 233-199 to strip funds for the engine from the fiscal 2011 defense spending bill.
"Secretary Gates welcomes today's vote and is gratified that the full House has recognized the merits of the department's position in opposing the (joint strike fighter) extra engine," Mr. Morrell said. "He understands this afternoon's vote is but one step, although a very important one, on the path to ensuring that we stop spending limited dollars on unwanted and unneeded defense programs."
The bill still must go to the Senate, where funding for the engine could be added back.
General Electric and Rolls Royce are building the engine. In 2005, then-President George W. Bush and then-Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld opposed the extra engine. In a statement issued May 28, President Barack Obama promised to veto any legislation that provided funds for the extra engine.
Secretary Gates has said he will use every legal means to terminate the extra engine program, which he said is costing taxpayers $28 million a month.
Comments
2/18/2011 9:23:57 AM ET Still 199 voted to continue a system the DOD asked to have killed. So much for really wanting to cut waste. These folks still aren't hearing the taxpayer, let alone DOD and the Executive.
Mark, Eglin AFB FL
2/17/2011 10:55:21 PM ET Hey Rick the F-35 with the best engine won. Even though there's precedent for two different engines on the same aircraft F100 and F110 in F-16 TF30 and F110 in F-14 it's a bad wasteful idea. The Pratt and Whitney engine was determined to be the best engine in competition just as the F-35 was determined to be the best aircraft. To waste nearly half a billion in FY11 ALONE on an engine is foolish. If GERR had the best engine it would be flying now. Imagine what the AF could do with half a billion this year rather spend on an unproven redundant engine. It's a great day for the AF and America.
DMPI, Al JBAB DC
2/17/2011 4:26:04 PM ET What is Sec Gate's reasoning for not wanting a competition with the F-35 engine but insisting that the KC-X tanker be competed
Rick, WPAFB
2/17/2011 12:06:10 PM ET Now they can terminate our efforts in Iraque and Afganistan that will save a whole bunch of wasted government money not to mention all the pain and suffering our troops have endurred for a land far away.
