GE exec asks Congress to spare fighter engine

Published: Mar 16, 2006
Source: www.thedailyitemoflynn.com



LYNN - River Works employees are keeping close watch over budget talks in Washington, D.C. where GE's top aviation executive Wednesday asked a Congressional panel not to eliminate the company's role in making a jet engine for the military's joint-strike fighter.

Scott Donnelly, GE Aviation president and chief executive officer, told the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee that competition is necessary to ensure adequate supplies of powerplants for the nation's most advanced warplane, and to promote healthy competition with rival Pratt & Whitney so that prices remain stable.

Pratt & Whitney were first to win the government contract to develop the F119 engine for the F-22. That engine was later modified to the F135 for use in the Joint Strike Fighter.continue..