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USAF designates GE-Kratos turbofan F143 and awards initial production contract for JASSM

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The U.S. Air Force has designated GE Aerospace and Kratos’ 800-pound-force (3.5-kilonewton) turbofan as the F143 and awarded an initial production contract. The engine will power Lockheed Martin’s Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) cruise missile.

Discovered 2026-08-17T08:50:09.894042-07:00 | 2026-08-17T08:50:09.894042-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The F143 designation and initial production award move the GE-Kratos engine beyond development toward supplying propulsion for Lockheed Martin’s JASSM cruise missile.
  • The 800 lbf (3.5 kN) turbofan is now linked to a specific operational missile program, making its production status relevant to JASSM manufacturing and sustainment planning.

Reported By

interestingengineering.com FlightGlobal
Sources Tracked
2
First Seen
2026-08-17T08:50:09.894042-07:00
Latest Update
2026-08-17T09:32:57.123206-07:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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