General Electric Aircraft Engine Group

Pratt & Whitney and GE Aircraft Engines, sometimes fierce competitors in the jet engine industry, will unite to study the possibility of developing a new propulsion system for supersonic commercial aircraft, the companies have announced. Depending on the results of the initial study, the companies will then decide how to divide responsibilities in developing the system.

Pratt & Whitney and GE Aircraft Engines, sometimes fierce competitors in the jet engine industry, will unite to study the possibility of developing a new propulsion system for supersonic commercial aircraft, the companies have announced. Depending on the results of the initial study, the companies will then decide how to divide responsibilities in developing the system.

The Air Force, citing major problems with crucial components of its new B-1B strategic bomber, has withheld more than $250 million in payments to companies that produce systems for it, Pentagon officials said Wednesday. The Air Force has discovered serious problems with the plane's electronic defense equipment, considered critical to the bomber's mission to penetrate enemy territory in wartime, officials told a House investigative panel Wednesday.