RTX's Pratt & Whitney awarded F135 Engine Core Upgrade contract

Rhea-AI Summary

Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, has been awarded a $1.3 billion contract to continue work on the F135 Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) for the F-35 fighter jet. The ECU will enhance engine durability and provide power and cooling for Block 4 and beyond capabilities across all F-35 variants.

Key points:

• The contract enables continued design maturation and aircraft integration
• Over 700 engineers and program managers are working full-time on the program
• The F135 program supports more than 57,000 jobs across 43 states
• Pratt & Whitney has delivered over 1,200 F135 production engines with more than 900,000 flight hours
• The ECU will be incorporated into new F-35s and retrofitted at multiple depot facilities worldwide

$1.3 billion contract will enable continued design maturation and aircraft integration 

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, has been awarded a contract valued up to $1.3 billion to continue work on the F135 Engine Core Upgrade (ECU), which will deliver enhanced durability to the engine. The ECU also provides power and cooling for Block 4 and beyond capabilities for all three variants of the F-35 global enterprise.

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

In July, Pratt & Whitney announced it had completed the F135 ECU's preliminary design review which signified the alignment between Pratt & Whitney and the F-35 Joint Program Office on the upgrade's design. Today, more than 700 engineers and program managers are working full-time on the program.

"We are fortunate to have bipartisan and bicameral support from our congressional advocates, especially the Connecticut and Maine delegations led by senior appropriators Sen. Susan Collins and Rep. Rosa DeLauro," said Jeff Shockey, senior vice president of RTX Global Government Relations. "Their steadfast commitment to the F135 ensures it will deliver critical capabilities for decades to come."

The F135 program is a major driver of economic growth in the states of Connecticut, Maine, and around the country; supporting more than 57,000 jobs across 43 states.

To date, Pratt & Whitney has delivered more than 1,200 F135 production engines, with more than 900,000 engine flight hours recorded. The F135 ECU will be incorporated into F-35s at the point of production or retrofitted at one of the multiple F135 depot sustainment facilities around the world and will be available to all F-35 operators.

About Pratt & Whitney 
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. To learn more visit www.prattwhitney.com.

About RTX 
With more than 185,000 global employees, RTX pushes the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2023 sales of $69 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact corporatepr@rtx.com.

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SOURCE RTX

FAQ

What is the value of the F135 Engine Core Upgrade contract awarded to Pratt & Whitney by RTX?

Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, has been awarded a contract valued up to $1.3 billion for the F135 Engine Core Upgrade (ECU).

How will the F135 Engine Core Upgrade benefit the F-35 fighter jet?

The F135 ECU will deliver enhanced durability to the engine and provide power and cooling for Block 4 and beyond capabilities for all three variants of the F-35 global enterprise.

How many engineers are currently working on the F135 Engine Core Upgrade program?

More than 700 engineers and program managers are working full-time on the F135 Engine Core Upgrade program.

How many F135 production engines has Pratt & Whitney delivered to date?

Pratt & Whitney has delivered more than 1,200 F135 production engines, with over 900,000 engine flight hours recorded.

How will the F135 Engine Core Upgrade be implemented in existing F-35 aircraft?

The F135 ECU will be incorporated into F-35s at the point of production or retrofitted at one of the multiple F135 depot sustainment facilities around the world.