Program remains on track to fully enable the F-35's future
needs
EAST
HARTFORD, Conn., July 15,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney, an RTX
(NYSE: RTX) business, completed the F135 Engine Core Upgrade's
(ECU) preliminary design review (PDR), affirming the ECU's design
is on schedule and exceeding expectations. The upgrade will deliver
increased engine durability and performance that will fully enable
Block 4 and beyond capabilities for all three variants of the F-35
worldwide.
During the PDR, Pratt & Whitney and the F-35 Joint Program
Office evaluated the ECU's design changes and propulsion
technologies, both of which are needed to restore full life to the
engine and provide improved performance to enable next generation
weapons and sensors.
"Pratt & Whitney is upgrading the F135 engine with
technology from multiple development programs to deliver increased
capability and performance for the warfighter," said Chris Johnson, vice president of Pratt &
Whitney's F135 program. "Upgrading the F-35's
propulsion system to ECU is a critical step toward ensuring the
F-35 remains the world's premier air dominance fighter."
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Defense formally
selected the F135 ECU as the only modernization solution for the
F-35's propulsion system because it assessed that Pratt &
Whitney alone "has the experience, special skills, proprietary
technical documentation, software/algorithms, and technical
expertise required to furnish the supplies and services."
"The PDR was a successful first step toward the capability the
ECU will provide in meeting the challenging performance and
durability requirements of the F135," said U.S. Navy Capt.
Mitchell Grant, F-35 propulsion
program manager. "The ECU will ensure that the U.S. and our
international partners remain well positioned to outpace adversary
threats."
To date, Pratt & Whitney has delivered more than 1,200 F135
production engines, with more than 860,000 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.
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