Pratt & Whitney has begun production on the first F100-PW-229 engine enhancement package (EEP), which a March 26 company release says is the latest evolution in the F100 series that powers F-15 and F-16 fighters. Warren Boley, vice president of P&W Military Programs and Customer Support, calls it another example of the company’s “pioneering work in fighter engine technology.” Boley added that the EEP offers “superior performance” and “reduces maintenance and life cycle costs at a time when value and efficiency are top priorities on the nation’s agenda.” P&W plans to begin delivery of the new configuration in October and upgrade kits for existing -229 engines by the end of 2010. The EEP increases the depot inspection interval from 4,300 cycles to 6,000 cycles and provides increased key component durability. Boley said that USAF and several other operators of the F100-PW-229 engine “have expressed interest in having upgrade kits to modify their existing engines.”
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.