Le moteur F135 de Pratt & Whitney, qui \u00e9quipe le JSF, va \u00eatre soumis de son c\u00f4t\u00e9 (avec le JSF lui-m\u00eame, actuellement investigu\u00e9 par l’\u00e9quipe JET) \u00e0 une enqu\u00eate qui est annonc\u00e9e comme particuli\u00e8rement minutieuse, voire soup\u00e7onneuse, sur son \u00e9tat actuel, ses co\u00fbts, son d\u00e9veloppement technique, etc. La chose est d\u00e9taill\u00e9e dans un m\u00e9morandum de Carter, dont les d\u00e9tails ont \u00e9t\u00e9 obtenus (fuite classique) par Defense News<\/em>, le 9 septembre 2009<\/a>. Beaucoup de d\u00e9tails, de pr\u00e9cisions, etc. L’\u00e9quipe charg\u00e9e de cette investigation, la Joint Assesment Team (JAT) doit remettre son rapport le 20 novembre prochain.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \t\u00abThe joint acquisition team (JAT) Carter has established to review the F135 engine program should look at all aspects of development and production of the F135 engine, with primary focus on understanding the production cost, cost drivers, cost projections and long-term affordability of the F135, Carter wrote in a recent memo.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n \t\u00bbCarter has directed the review team to develop a plan to address F135 cost and affordability, states the undated memo, obtained by Defense News on Sept. 9.<\/em> []<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \t\u00bbThe acquisition, technology and logistics chief stated in the memo that he became concerned about F135 costs earlier this summer after being briefed by the F-35 program office on the fighter effort. That briefing, he wrote, covered projected cost growth in Pratt & Whitney’s F135 engines. The new primary engine cost expectations are outside the bounds of Selected Acquisition Report projections, and I am concerned about continued cost growth in the F135, Carter wrote.,Industry sources say the primary engine effort is nearly $2 billion over budget.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n \t\u00bbThe special acquisition team, Carter has directed, should work with the F-35 joint program office to understand the F135 cost structure, cost drivers, and current baseline cost\/price track, according to the memo. The team also should identify focus areas that adversely impact engine affordability projections, according to the document. It also should describe possible cost-reduction options. Further, Carter has directed the JAT to work with the F-35 program office to develop a reasonable cost for the program’s low-rate initial production IV phase.<\/em> <\/p>\n<\/p>\n \t\u00bbWe are looking forward to the opportunity to host the Joint Assessment Team, and show them the results of our cost reduction efforts over these last months, Pratt & Whitney spokesperson Erin Dick said. We are confident we can provide the team a level of detail that will reinforce our cost commitment to the Joint Program Office. Pratt & Whitney has developed a plan to reduce the production cost of the F135 propulsion system. We have taken very aggressive steps to make this happen, and we have made progress.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n \t\u00bbWe will demonstrate to the JAT that the learned out cost targets for the F135 engine and Rolls Royce STOVL Lift System are achievable, Dick said. We will provide them all the information they need to understand the progress we are making with respect to F135 propulsion cost and our continued way ahead. With the Pratt & Whitney F119, currently powering the F-22, we were able to achieve a 30 percent cost reduction from development to production, and we are applying the same lessons learned on the F135 and are on the path to achieve similar cost savings.<\/em>\u00bb<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \tIl faut signaler un autre aspect, assez inhabituel, qui situe le caract\u00e8re tr\u00e8s intrusif de cette d\u00e9marche, avec des interf\u00e9rences dans la strat\u00e9gie de la soci\u00e9t\u00e9 qui sont \u00e0 la limite de la l\u00e9galit\u00e9 de la part d’une organisation gouvernementale par rapport \u00e0 une entreprise priv\u00e9e: \u00abCarter also wants data on Pratt’s management of F135 subcontractors, instructing the team to assess subcontractor cost management and subcontractor technical oversight. The memo also orders a look at F135 business strategies. Carter wants the JAT to examine the following: overhead rate challenges, breakout parts strategies (mainly an activity looking at Rolls Royce), contract structure and incentives, fees (including profit and material handling) and development of alternative component suppliers.<\/em>\u00bb<\/p>\n<\/p>\n