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Initial testing of the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136 alternate engine for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter began in November at the US Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Center in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Engine and afterburner performance and operability tests were conducted at a variety of simulated altitudes and Mach speeds. Arnold has also conducted tests on the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, which is the sole powerplant for the F-35 until 2011 or 2012 when the F136 engine will be available. Three System Development and Demonstration, or SDD, F136 engines are slated for further development and qualification testing at Arnold between 2009 and 2013.
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