PW-229 EEP Increases Inspection Intervals, Reducing Life Cycle Costs

Pratt & Whitney, maker of the F100 engine family that powers the F-16 and F-15 military fighter jets operated by the US Air Force, US Navy and the Air Forces of 22 allied nations, have begun production of the first F100-PW-229 Engine Enhancement Package (EEP) engines. The F100-PW-229 EEP represents the latest evolution in the F100 series of engines.

"The F100-PW-229 EEP is another example of Pratt & Whitney's pioneering work in fighter engine technology," said Warren Boley, Vice President of Pratt & Whitney Military Programs and Customer Support. "Not only does it offer superior performance capabilities for our armed forces, it reduces maintenance and life cycle costs at a time when value and efficiency are top priorities on the nation's agenda."

The F100-PW-229 EEP incorporates technology developed for the F135 and F119 propulsion systems. The F100-229 EEP will provide advanced, dependable power for F-16 and F-15 aircraft around the world. In response to strong customer demand, the first engines will begin delivery of the new configuration in October of this year.

The F100-PW-229 EEP was created to dramatically decrease the cost of ownership without impacting performance. This was accomplished by increasing the engine depot inspection interval from 4,300 to 6,000 cycles and increasing durability of key components while maintaining the 29,100 pound thrust rating. The inspection interval increase extends the amount of time between scheduled depot maintenance from the average of 7-9 years to over 10-14 years depending on utilization rates. This increase consequently should reduce life cycle costs by 30 percent over the life of the engine. The F100-PW-229 EEP continues to be the only fighter engine funded and qualified by the US Air Force to the 6,000 cycle capability.

Pratt & Whitney will offer customers the option to purchase the F100-PW-229 EEP as a complete engine, or as an upgrade kit that will be made available to all -229 operators near the end of 2010.

"The US Air Force and several other operators of the P&W F100-PW-229 engine have expressed interest in having upgrade kits to modify their existing engines, so we're working diligently to provide this capability for our customers," Boley said.

So far, 74 F100-PW-229 EEP engines have been ordered, with the first delivery set for Republic of Korea. Additional deliveries will be headed to Morocco and Pakistan in early 2010.

FMI: www.pratt-whitney.com/