In the competitive world of military procurement, the multibillion-dollar battle for jet engine contracts is often shrouded in controversy. In The Air Force and the Great Engine War, Colonel Robert W. Drewes presents a compelling, behind-the-scenes account of the high-stakes struggle between industry titans Pratt and Whitney and General Electric. This narrative captures the intense period when the United States Air Force challenged the status quo of sole-source contracting, seeking to improve performance and accountability for the nation’s frontline fighter aircraft.
The book navigates the complex intersections of government policy, inter-service rivalry, and engineering hurdles that defined this era. Far from a dry study, it explores the human element of acquisition—the strategic posturing, the technical failures, and the eventual decision-making process that transformed how the Department of Defense conducts business. Readers will gain a unique insight into how the military and Congress combined their efforts to "set things right." This is a definitive and encouraging story of institutional resilience, offering vital lessons for anyone interested in defense history, engineering management, and the complexities of government-industry relations.
