RTX's Pratt & Whitney awarded $1.6 billion F135 sustainment contract

Rhea-AI Summary

Pratt & Whitney (NYSE: RTX) was awarded a $1.6 billion undefinitized contract action on Dec. 2, 2025 to sustain the F135 engines that power all three F-35 variants. The award funds depot maintenance, spare parts replenishment, material management, propulsion integration, engineering support and software sustainment for U.S. and international customers.

The sustainment network covers multiple global depots, 39 bases and 12 ships, and builds on delivery of more than 1,300 F135 production engines. The work is positioned to support F-35 readiness and enable the F135 Engine Core Upgrade using the existing sustainment infrastructure.

Positive

• $1.6 billion undefinitized F135 sustainment contract
• Sustainment across 39 bases and 12 ships worldwide
• Covers depot maintenance, spare parts, engineering and software
• Builds on > 1,300 F135 production engines already delivered

Negative

• None.

News Market Reaction

+0.46%

1 alert

+0.46% News Effect

On the day this news was published, RTX gained 0.46%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

F135 sustainment contract: $1.6 billion F-35 variants powered: 3 variants Global F-35 bases: 39 bases +3 more

6 metrics

F135 sustainment contract $1.6 billion Undefinitized contract action for F135 engine sustainment

F-35 variants powered 3 variants F135 engines power all three F-35 Lightning II variants

Global F-35 bases 39 bases F135 sustainment network coverage worldwide

F-35 ships supported 12 ships F135 sustainment network coverage worldwide

F135 production engines More than 1,300 engines Delivered into global F-35 enterprise

F-35 partner nations 20 allied nations Global F135 customer base

Market Reality Check

Price: $198.66 Vol: Volume 4,604,020 is close...

normal vol

$198.66 Last Close

Volume Volume 4,604,020 is close to the 20-day average of 4,545,518 (relative volume 1.01). normal

Technical Shares trade above the 200-day MA, with price 177.42 vs MA(200) 149.58, and sit 2.15% below the 52-week high of 181.31.

Peers on Argus

RTX gained 1.62% while key aerospace peers were mostly positive but mixed: BA +1...

RTX gained 1.62% while key aerospace peers were mostly positive but mixed: BA +1%, LMT +0.98%, HWM +2.21%, NOC +0.44%, and GD -0.26%. Scanner data did not flag a broad sector momentum move, suggesting the F135 sustainment contract is a more stock-specific driver.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 09 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 09	EW prototype review	Positive	+0.2%	Validation of Advanced Electronic Warfare prototype for U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F.
Dec 09	Engine R&D update	Positive	+0.2%	Announcement of scalable small engine family for munitions and combat aircraft.
Dec 04	Cloud collaboration	Positive	+1.7%	Strategic collaboration with AWS to enhance satellite data and space services.
Dec 02	F135 sustainment deal	Positive	+0.5%	Award of $1.6B F135 sustainment contract supporting global F-35 readiness.
Nov 21	Tamir production deal	Positive	-1.8%	First $1.25B production contract for Tamir and SkyHunter missiles via R2S JV.

Pattern Detected

Recent contract and collaboration announcements for RTX have generally seen modest positive price reactions, with one notable divergence where a large Tamir production contract coincided with a negative move.

Recent Company History

Over the last several weeks, RTX has reported a series of defense and technology wins. On Nov 21, 2025, an R2S joint venture secured a $1.25B Tamir production contract, followed by the $1.6B F135 sustainment award on Dec 2, 2025, supporting F-35 readiness across 39 bases and 12 ships. Additional news highlighted a strategic AWS collaboration for space customers and progress on advanced electronic warfare and small-engine development. Historically, these positive catalysts produced small price gains for RTX, indicating steady but measured market responses to contract and technology updates.

Regulatory & Risk Context

Active S-3 Shelf

Shelf Active

Active S-3 Shelf Registration 2025-09-18

RTX has an effective S-3ASR shelf registration dated 2025-09-18, allowing it to offer a range of securities such as debt, warrants, common stock, stock purchase contracts and equity units. Specific offering terms, including any amounts and structures, would be detailed in separate prospectus supplements. The filing also outlines standard indenture terms, subordination features and governance provisions.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement detailed a $1.6 billion undefinitized contract action to sustain F135 engines powe...

Analysis

This announcement detailed a $1.6 billion undefinitized contract action to sustain F135 engines powering all three F-35 variants, supporting a network of 39 bases and 12 ships and more than 1,300 delivered engines across 20 allied nations. In recent months RTX has reported multiple contract wins and collaborations, generally followed by modest price moves. Investors may focus on how this sustainment work supports long-term F-35 readiness and complements RTX’s broader defense and aerospace portfolio.

Key Terms

undefinitized contract action, depot level maintenance, propulsion system integration, software sustainment

4 terms

undefinitized contract action regulatory

"has been awarded a $1.6 billion undefinitized contract action for sustainment"

An undefinitized contract action is a government procurement decision that allows a contractor to begin work or purchase materials before the final price, scope, or terms of the contract are agreed. For investors, it can mean earlier recognized revenue or backlog but also added risk to profit margins and cash flow — like starting to build a house before the final price is set, raising the chance of cost surprises that change future earnings.

depot level maintenance technical

"including depot level maintenance and repair, replenishment of spare parts"

Depot level maintenance is the most extensive type of repair and overhaul performed on complex equipment, done at a specialized facility where major components are inspected, rebuilt or replaced to restore long-term reliability. For investors, it matters because these heavy-duty services are costly, create long service cycles and predictable revenue for providers, and affect an asset’s lifespan, availability and total ownership cost—like sending a car to a factory shop for a complete rebuild.

propulsion system integration technical

"material management, propulsion system integration, engineering support"

Propulsion system integration is the engineering process of fitting and coordinating a vehicle’s engines, fuel systems, controls and related components so they work together safely and efficiently. For investors, it matters because successful integration determines real-world performance, reliability, certification timelines and production costs—like how well an engine fits into and communicates with the rest of a car, affecting resale value and warranty risk.

software sustainment technical

"engineering support, and software sustainment for the U.S. and international"

Software sustainment is the ongoing work to keep a software system running, secure, and useful over its lifetime through updates, bug fixes, security patches, performance tuning, and occasional feature adjustments. For investors it matters because sustainment is what preserves the value of a software product—like regular servicing keeps a car reliable—affecting operating costs, customer retention, regulatory compliance and the ability to generate steady revenue from existing products.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Award will support global engine sustainment and F-35 readiness

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Dec. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, has been awarded a $1.6 billion undefinitized contract action for sustainment of F135 engines, which power all three variants of the F-35 Lightning II, the world's most advanced fighter aircraft.

The contract funds key sustainment activities, including depot level maintenance and repair, replenishment of spare parts, material management, propulsion system integration, engineering support, and software sustainment for the U.S. and international customers.

"Investing in F135 sustainment keeps allied forces ready to meet current and future threats," said Kinda Eastwood, vice president of F135 Sustainment at Pratt & Whitney. "F-35 operators worldwide depend on the F135 for the power and performance their missions demand, and this award helps us maintain readiness rates that enable the warfighter to accomplish their critical missions."

To ensure F-35 mission readiness, the F135 sustainment network supports an expansive infrastructure, including multiple global depot facilities, 39 bases and 12 ships worldwide. By leveraging its globally distributed maintenance, logistics and technical expertise, Pratt & Whitney is advancing the F135 enterprise to deliver greater agility, resilience and support wherever the F-35 operates.

Pratt & Whitney has delivered more than 1,300 F135 production engines to a global enterprise that includes 20 allied nations. Looking ahead, the F135 Engine Core Upgrade will leverage this sustainment network, providing F-35 partner nations with a proven, cost-effective infrastructure that enhances readiness and ensures seamless support across the fleet for decades to come.

About Pratt & Whitney 
Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units for military, commercial and civil aviation customers. Since 1925, our engineers have pioneered the development of revolutionary aircraft propulsion technologies, and today we support more than 90,000 in-service engines through our global network of maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities.

About RTX
RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. With more than 185,000 global employees, we push 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 for operational success, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2024 sales of more than $80 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

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

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rtxs-pratt--whitney-awarded-1-6-billion-f135-sustainment-contract-302630193.html

SOURCE RTX

FAQ

What did RTX announce on Dec. 2, 2025 about the F135 sustainment contract?

RTX announced a $1.6 billion undefinitized contract action for F135 engine sustainment covering maintenance, parts, engineering and software.

How will the $1.6 billion RTX F135 contract affect F-35 readiness?

The contract funds depot maintenance and logistics support intended to maintain readiness across the fleet, including work at 39 bases and 12 ships.

Does the RTX contract cover international F-35 customers?

Yes; the award funds sustainment activities for both U.S. and international customers and partner nations.

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

Pratt & Whitney has delivered more than 1,300 F135 production engines to a global enterprise of 20 allied nations.

Will the F135 Engine Core Upgrade use the RTX sustainment network?

Yes; the announcement says the Engine Core Upgrade will leverage the existing sustainment network to enhance readiness.

What sustainment activities are included in the RTX F135 contract?

Contracted activities include depot-level maintenance, spare parts replenishment, material management, propulsion integration, engineering support and software sustainment.