The United States Air-Forces (USAF) has awarded an Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD) contract to GE Aerospace and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions to advance a new 800-pound thrust class turbofan engine as a second-source propulsion system for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM).

Concurrently, the military officially designated the engine, previously known as the GEK800, as the F143-ZZ-100. According to an August 17, 2026, press release from the partner companies, the contract supports a broader Department of Defense (DoD) initiative to reindustrialize the domestic manufacturing base and ensure high-performance jet engines can be mass-produced for cruise missiles, uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), and collaborative combat aircraft (CCA).

Development and testing milestones

GE Aerospace and Kratos began collaborating on the engine in 2023, supported by internal investments and funding from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The propulsion system successfully completed altitude testing in 2025 at Purdue University’s Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories in Indiana. During the testing phase, the engine completed more than 50 successful ground starts.

“The F143 designation and EMD award are a testament to the strong performance and capability of the GEK800 engine and the strength of our partnership with Kratos. This reflects years of disciplined engineering to deliver propulsion systems that meet the evolving, mission-critical requirements of our military customers.”

The statement was provided by Amy Gowder, President and CEO of GE Aerospace Defense & Systems.

Diversifying the cruise missile supply chain

The JASSM program has historically relied on a single engine supplier, utilizing the Williams International F107-WR-105 turbofan engine. In December 2024, the Pentagon awarded Williams International a $253.7 million contract to expand production of the F107-WR-105 to support higher output for JASSM and other missile programs.

The introduction of the F143-ZZ-100 breaks this single-source reliance, providing the USAF with a secondary supplier capable of producing engines in large quantities. Eric DeMarco, President and CEO of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, highlighted the strategic focus of the partnership.

“Kratos has been working with our outstanding partner GE Aerospace and the United States Air Force to support the Department of War in reindustrializing U.S. manufacturing capacity and capability in the area of low cost, rapidly manufacturable, in large quantities, jet engines for drones, cruise missiles and other systems. Kratos and GE Aerospace are making significant investments with our government partners, to support U.S. National Security priorities.”

AirPro News analysis

We view the F143-ZZ-100 EMD contract as a direct response to the industrial base constraints exposed during recent global conflicts. The U.S. military has recognized that relying on a single supplier for critical munitions components creates an unacceptable bottleneck. By funding a second-source engine for the JASSM program, the DoD is prioritizing supply chain resilience and mass manufacturability. The rhetorical use of the archaic term “Department of War” by Kratos leadership underscores the defense industry’s current pivot toward wartime production footing, focusing on scale and speed over bespoke, low-volume manufacturing.

Sources: GE Aerospace

This is a developing story. Information may change as official details are released.

The U.S. Army ordered a temporary stand-down of all Boeing AH-64 Apache training flight operations on August 14, 2026, following a fatal accident during a maintenance test flight in Texas that resulted in the deaths of two pilots.

The directive halts training missions across the fleet while safety investigators examine the circumstances of the August 12, 2026, crash. According to U.S. Army Public Affairs, the grounding does not affect ongoing combat missions currently being flown by Apache units.

Accident details and crew identification

The accident occurred when a Boeing AH-64E Apache crashed in a field in Salado, Texas, located approximately 30 miles from Fort Hood. The aircraft was conducting a maintenance test flight at the time of the event.

On August 14, 2026, the Army publicly identified the two pilots killed in the crash as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead. Military records indicate Huey entered the Army in 2014, while Olmstead joined in 2023.

Local emergency services responded to the site. Bell County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Bill Coleman stated to CBS News that the impact sparked a localized wildfire, noting, “You could tell this was a violent crash.”

Investigation and operational response

The U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center is leading the official investigation into the accident. No official cause has been determined.

In a press release, U.S. Army Public Affairs stated, “The stand-down will remain in effect until we have a better understanding of the root cause of the accident.” The release also noted that the Army is profoundly saddened by the loss of the two soldiers.

Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, Commanding General of III Armored Corps and Fort Hood, issued a statement regarding the fatalities.

“Our hearts and deepest condolences are with the families of the Soldiers we lost Wednesday. The Army is a family, and a tragedy like this is felt throughout our formations and our community.”

The U.S. military has implemented similar aviation stand-downs in recent years following safety occurrences. Three years prior to this event, the Army grounded all aviation units for supplementary training after 12 soldiers died in separate accidents in Alaska and Kentucky.

AirPro News analysis

We observe that targeted operational pauses are a standard risk management tool within military aviation following fatal accidents. By isolating the stand-down to training flights, the Army maintains its combat readiness and forward-deployed capabilities while allowing the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center time to conduct a preliminary review of fleet-wide maintenance and operational data. Because this accident occurred during a maintenance test flight, investigators will routinely examine recent maintenance actions, component histories, and technical directives associated with the AH-64E fleet.

Sources: U.S. Army Public Affairs

Lockheed Martin detailed a strategic shift toward artificial intelligence-driven military sustainment on August 13, 2026, deploying machine learning models capable of predicting aircraft component failures up to 72 hours in advance.

In a feature article published by the manufacturer, Nick Smythe, Vice President of Sustainment Campaigns at Lockheed Martin, outlined the transition from static, flight-hour-based maintenance schedules to dynamic, predictive logistics. The initiative aims to reduce the military logistics footprint and maintain operational readiness in contested environments by preempting hardware failures.

Transitioning to predictive maintenance

The core of the new sustainment strategy relies on deep-learning models that analyze continuous data streams from aircraft systems. By monitoring engine vibration, temperature, and fuel-flow data, the algorithms can identify degradation patterns and provide a 72-hour advance warning before a component fails. This predictive window allows operators to route replacement parts to forward operating bases preemptively, avoiding unscheduled downtime.

“By moving from a static ‘flight hour’ approach to a dynamic, AI driven forecast that leverages digital twins, the logistics pipeline becomes proactive,” Smythe stated.

The system utilizes tools like the Real-Time Logistics Command and Control (LogC2) Dashboard to process massive data streams and recommend actions. Smythe emphasized that the technology is intended to protect and empower human operators rather than replace them.

Decision advantage in contested environments

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into logistics is designed to accelerate command responses. Smythe noted that traditional advantages in military logistics are no longer sufficient against modern adversaries.

“The world is smaller, more interconnected, and increasingly contested. In these environments sheer mass and energy no longer guarantee success; decision making speed does,” Smythe wrote.

By processing data faster than human analysts, the AI models provide commanders with a decision advantage, allowing them to anticipate supply chain bottlenecks and maintenance requirements before they impact flight operations.

Broader defense industry integration

The sustainment announcement follows a series of AI-focused deployments by Lockheed Martin. On August 12, 2026, the company demonstrated NetSense, an AI-powered counter-Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) technology developed alongside Verizon, NVIDIA, and Astris AI. Earlier, on August 5, 2026, Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Navy showcased SensorMAX, a machine learning sonar system for antisubmarine warfare, during the RIMPAC 2026 exercise.

These technological shifts align with major defense contracts and broader military branch initiatives. On July 16, 2026, Lockheed Martin secured the Special Operations Forces Global Logistics Support Services (SOF GLSS II) contract, valued at up to $10.5 billion over 12 years. Concurrently, the U.S. Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office announced on August 11, 2026, that it is actively exploring AI tools to predict aircraft failures and strengthen its own sustainment networks.

AirPro News analysis

We view Lockheed Martin’s public emphasis on AI sustainment as a direct response to the U.S. Department of Defense’s mandate for contested logistics capabilities. The traditional model of stockpiling spare parts near the battlefield is highly vulnerable in modern peer-conflict scenarios. By utilizing digital twins and predictive algorithms, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are attempting to thin out the supply chain without sacrificing aircraft availability rates. The 72-hour predictive window for engine components represents a critical metric. If consistently achieved in field conditions, it would allow maintenance crews to replace degrading parts during scheduled downtime rather than managing aircraft on ground (AOG) emergencies.

Sources: Lockheed Martin