GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) has been awarded a contract by the Defense Logistics Agency to increase readiness of the J85 engine, which powers the Air Force’s primary training aircraft, the T-38. Under the agreement, GE Aerospace will provide fleet management and supply optimization capabilities to support the Air Force’s training mission.
This marks GE Aerospace’s first TrueChoice™ Defense digitally enabled contract for the J85 engine. The initial seven-month contract includes a four-year, five-month option period immediately following. Using artificial intelligence and advanced data analytics, the platform consolidates disparate data across the enterprise — including the U.S. Air Force, Defense Logistics Agency and GE Aerospace — to predict when parts will be needed, identify emerging supply chain constraints, and provide users with a comprehensive view that enables faster decision-making, more efficient engine sustainment and ultimately a more ready force.
“This contract directly supports increased readiness for the J85 engine and the U.S. Air Force’s primary training fleet,” said Asha Belarski, general manager of customer support and sustainment for Defense & Systems at GE Aerospace. “By integrating data across the enterprise and applying AI to predict demand and identify constraints earlier, we are helping the Air Force keep more aircraft available to ensure our airmen get the training required to execute on their mission.”
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Download free sample pages More informationThe contract builds on a successful test program that integrated data from multiple organizations responsible for managing more than 6,000 individual J85 engine parts. That effort demonstrated how advanced analytics can improve visibility across the supply chain, reduce delays, and enable more proactive sustainment decisions.
As part of the program, GE Aerospace is working with Palantir to combine expertise in aerospace engineering, data integration, and artificial intelligence. Together, the teams will focus on addressing supply chain constraints, improving parts availability, and supporting faster, more informed decision-making across the J85 sustainment ecosystem.
GE Aerospace continues to invest in digital capabilities that support customer readiness and operational outcomes, applying advanced technologies to enhance sustainment performance across military engine fleets.
