The U.S. Air Force (USAF) is exploring alternative engines for the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II and Lockheed Martin F-16, opening the door to new suppliers for fighter aircraft that have long relied on powerplants from Pratt & Whitney and GE Aerospace.
A recently issued Request for Information (RFI) invites industry proposals for a future multiyear engine procurement program covering both U.S. Air Force aircraft and those supplied through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
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According to the document, the service expects demand to reach as many as 180 engines annually by fiscal year 2034.
The Air Force says the initiative is driven by persistent problems within the current industrial base, citing production delays, quality control issues, component obsolescence and shortages of critical materials.
The RFI outlines a strategy that places greater emphasis on lifecycle costs, supply chain resilience, ease of maintenance and higher aircraft availability rather than acquisition price alone.
Officials also want manufacturers to demonstrate they can rapidly increase production if required while ensuring a stable flow of spare parts throughout the engines' service lives.
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Since entering service, the F-15 and F-16 have been powered by either Pratt & Whitney F100 or GE Aerospace F110 engines. The latest F-15EX also uses the F110, leaving the two manufacturers with an effective monopoly in this market for decades.
The Air Force did not specify whether it expects entirely new engine designs or upgraded versions of existing powerplants. Companies responding to the RFI have until Aug. 28 to submit information on manufacturing capacity, development timelines and supply-chain constraints that could affect future production.
