LIEBERMAN LAUDS SENATE TERMINATION OF ALTERNATE ENGINE FUNDING

WASHINGTON, D.C. –The Senate Armed Services Committee today reported out the FY11 National Defense Authorization Act without funding the alternate engine for the Joint Strike Fighter.   The decision not to fund the alternate engine will save the federal government $2.9 billion over the next five years and, according to the Pentagon, is essential for the success of the Joint Strike Fighter program.   

“This is a great victory for both American taxpayers and the aviators, airmen, and marines who will soon fly the Joint Strike Fighter into combat,” said Senator Lieberman.  “The Department of Defense has long said that it neither wants nor intends to use an alternate engine, and I applaud my colleagues for supporting the President and cancelling this wasteful program.  Now we in the Senate will look to our House colleagues to show their support for the men and women who serve in our armed forces by cutting this unnecessary, alternate engine in their version of the bill.” 

Senator Lieberman is a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Chairman of the AirLand Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the funding for the Joint Strike Fighter.   In addition to its decision not to fund the alternate engine program, the Senate Armed Services Committee adopted a provision that would prevent any funds from being spent on the alternate engine unless the Secretary of Defense certifies that it would reduce the total life cycle costs of the Joint Strike Fighter program, and improve the operational readiness of the F-35 fleet.

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