September 30, 2024

Pratt & Whitney awarded USD 1.3 billion contract for F135 engine upgrade

By Defence Industry Europe

Pratt & Whitney (P&W) announced today that it has delivered the 1,000th F135 production engine for the 5th Generation F-35 Lightning II fighter to the U.S. Department of Defense. — Photo: Pratt & Whitney.

Pratt & Whitney, a division of RTX, has secured a contract worth up to USD 1.3 billion to advance its F135 Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) project. The upgrade will provide improved durability to the engine and enhance power and cooling systems for Block 4 capabilities and beyond. This upgrade will apply to all three variants of the F-35 aircraft used in operations worldwide.Pratt & Whitney, a division of RTX (NYSE: RTX), has secured a contract worth up to USD 1.3 billion to advance its F135 Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) project. The upgrade will provide improved durability to the engine and enhance power and cooling systems for Block 4 capabilities and beyond. This upgrade will apply to all three variants of the F-35 aircraft used in operations worldwide.

The contract, a significant step forward for the company, allows Pratt & Whitney to continue its work on reducing risks during the design process. The company’s team is focused on refining the engine’s design, ensuring seamless aircraft integration, and preparing the supply chain for production.

“This contract is critical to continuing our positive forward momentum on this program,” said Jill Albertelli, President of Pratt & Whitney’s Military Engines division. “It allows us to continue work in the risk reduction phase with a fully staffed team focused on design maturation, aircraft integration, and mobilising the supply base to prepare for production.”

In July, the company successfully completed a preliminary design review for the F135 ECU, marking a key milestone in the collaboration between Pratt & Whitney and the F-35 Joint Program Office. Currently, over 700 engineers and programme managers are dedicated to the development of this upgrade.

Jeff Shockey, Senior Vice President of RTX Global Government Relations, expressed gratitude for the bipartisan support from Congress, particularly from Connecticut and Maine representatives, including Senator Susan Collins and Representative Rosa DeLauro. “Their steadfast commitment to the F135 ensures it will deliver critical capabilities for decades to come,” said Shockey.

The F135 engine programme is a significant contributor to economic growth in the United States, particularly in Connecticut and Maine, supporting over 57,000 jobs across 43 states. To date, Pratt & Whitney has delivered more than 1,200 F135 engines, which have accumulated over 900,000 flight hours.

The F135 ECU will be installed in F-35 aircraft during production or retrofitted at one of several global sustainment facilities. The upgrade will be made available to all operators of the F-35, helping ensure the longevity and enhanced performance of the fleet for years to come.