The United States Air Force has opened the door to sourcing new jet engines, and potentially new manufacturers altogether, after voicing dissatisfaction with the current state of fighter engine production. In a newly issued Request for Information, with responses due by August 28, the service outlined a list of concerns plaguing its existing industrial base.
The RFI cited production delays, quality-control shortfalls and diminishing manufacturing sources, along with material shortages affecting key engine components, as central problems requiring resolution. The Air Force stated it intends to pursue a competitive process compelling industry players to modernize manufacturing methods and strengthen supply chain resilience.
The prompt for new suppliers follows a string of engine-related setbacks across major Air Force platforms. F-35 fighter deliveries and upgrade schedules have both suffered due to engine complications, with a Government Accountability Office review noting that the primary engine contractor has still failed to meet contract specifications after two decades of production.
Separately, modernization of the B-52 bomber fleet has also been hindered by engine-related issues, adding an estimated $3 billion in costs and delaying achievement of initial operational capability by 15 months, according to GAO findings. In response, the Air Force is now pursuing a multiyear engine procurement effort aimed at securing more than 180 units annually by 2034, with the RFI specifically referencing engines intended for the F-15EX and F-16 fleets.
The Air Force describes its plan around five foundational pillars meant to reshape how engines are procured and sustained, moving away from traditional procurement models toward one that rewards industry-led innovation and expanded production capacity. Central to this shift is a focus on holding vendors accountable for delivering engines that are more capable, dependable and cost-effective, evaluated not just on upfront price but on total lifecycle cost.
Manufacturers responding to the request will also be expected to guarantee dependable supply chains, with the Air Force stating its intent to prioritize ease of maintenance and reduce the logistical burden on maintainers through a more resilient parts pipeline. Companies are being asked to detail development and manufacturing timelines, along with the production volumes needed to justify private capital investment in facility expansion or advanced tooling.
Raw material availability also features prominently in the inquiry, with the Air Force seeking clarity on potential bottlenecks involving specialized titanium and nickel alloys, as well as advanced casting or forging capacity, an increasingly pressing issue as global competition for such materials intensifies, including restrictions imposed by China on rare earth exports.
The Air Force’s push for a revamped engine procurement framework underscores mounting concern within the Pentagon over the reliability of its industrial base for critical fighter and bomber components. Whether the domestic supply chain can meet the scale and consistency the service is demanding remains to be determined as the RFI process moves forward.