GE had been working on adaptive engine systems in the years prior to the launch of Advent in 2007, including parts of the Advanced Tactical Fighter competition in the 1980s that eventually became the F-22 Raptor. This was a valuable learning process alongside early S&T work in previous programmes in the 1990s and early 2000s

F-35 Lightning IIs from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, flying in formation during training on May 2, 2017. The aircraft will receive a Block 4 TR3 that will see an upgrade in hardware and software to improve their processing capability, display units and memory. However, this programme is expected to be far more costly than anticipated

The F-35’s F135 engine provided by Pratt & Whitney. This was developed from the F119 engine used in the F-22 Raptor and beat competition from Rolls-Royce, which offered the F136. The company is offering an upgraded F135 engine for the Block 4 TR3 as an alternative to the AETP engines