The United States Air Force (USAF) has announced a $7 billion cash injection for its prototype next-generation jet engine program. The next-generation adaptive propulsion (NGAP) program will receive additional funding to help General Electric (GE) and Pratt & Whitney continue their research and development without further delay.
The NGAP is a fundamental part of the larger Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative but is also potentially crucial for other advanced aviation programs.
According to a daily contracting notice from the USAF, Pratt and Whitney (now a subsidiary of Raytheon) include a new $3.5 billion funding ceiling for “design, analysis, rig testing, prototype engine build and testing, and weapon system integration.” GE has also received a similar funding ceiling.