Alternate fighter jet engine funded until March 4

COLUMBUS (AP) — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio says funding will continue for an alternate engine for the Pentagon’s next-generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jet.

Brown and fellow Democratic Sens. John Kerry of Massachusetts and Patrick Leahy of Vermont had sent a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates last week stating that Congress intended to fund the engine program through March 4, despite the Pentagon’s opposition to it.

The Department of Defense said in a statement today that Gates continues to oppose the need for an extra engine and that current funding is not due to a change in position, but is being implemented because the prior year’s funding expired. Funding is still slated to end March 4.

The engine is being developed by a General Electric Co. unit in Evendale outside Cincinnati. Fairfield, Conn.-based GE makes the engine with London-based Rolls-Royce.