Such a design translates into very high fuel efficiency or added power depending on the aircraft’s needs at a particular time.
This capability could prove vital for future large-scale combat situations where an aircraft might need to switch from fuel-efficient cruising en route to a combat situation. Once in position, the aircraft can then boost its power to actually engage the enemy.
That being said, the former, the XA102, passed a major design review in 2023, with the latter, the XA103, following suit last year. In both cases, The War Zone (TWZ) reports were based on earlier work for potential upgrade works on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.