Program remains on track to enable Block 4 capabilities in
2029
EAST
HARTFORD, Conn., March 23,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney, an RTX
(NYSE: RTX) business, has received full funding in the recently
passed fiscal year 2024 Defense Appropriations bill for its
F135 Engine Core Upgrade, which will modernize the F-35's
propulsion system to increase durability and fully-enable Block 4
capabilities and beyond starting in 2029.
"This bill will allow Pratt & Whitney to deliver the current
and future propulsion capabilities that will keep the United States and its allies on the
cutting edge of fighter engine technology," said Jill Albertelli, president of Pratt &
Whitney Military Engines. "We are incredibly thankful to our
congressional allies for their steadfast commitment to supporting
these programs."
$497 million was allocated to the
F135 ECU, which will move into detailed design later this year. The
ECU is compatible with all three variants of the F-35, will be
retrofittable, and will be available to all F-35 operators. The ECU
will utilize the same F135 global sustainment network and domestic
workforce already in place, supporting more than 57,000 jobs and
225 suppliers that contributed more than $2.2B to the U.S. economy in 2023.
"We are thankful that Congress has embraced and enacted the
Defense Department's decision to upgrade the F135 with the Engine
Core Upgrade, the lowest-risk, most cost-effective solution to
modernizing the F-35," said Jeff
Shockey, senior vice president, RTX government relations.
"We are fortunate to enjoy continued bipartisan and bicameral
support and leadership from our congressional advocates on this
critical capability for the warfighter; particularly Sen.
Susan Collins, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, and many other members that
continue to be staunch advocates of the F135 program."
The defense bill also includes continued support for the
Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion program, a portion of which
will be provided for Pratt & Whitney's XA103 adaptive engine to
continue moving toward detailed design review for the prototype
engine. Pratt & Whitney remains well-positioned to support
concurrent development programs with the capacity and expertise to
meet customers' evolving propulsion needs.
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