First Lot Of Production Engines Are Ready For Installation

Pratt & Whitney has delivered the final F135 flight test engine, along with the first lot of F135 production engines, which the company says marks another major program milestone. The full complement of 29 test engines delivered by Pratt & Whitney includes 11 ground test engines and 18 flight test engines. The first lot of F135 production engines consists of four CTOL engines all destined for aircraft that will support the flight training program at Eglin Air Force Base, FL.

"With these two significant milestones achieved, the F135 engine continues its unprecedented demonstration of maturity and dependability for the F-35 Lightning II," said Bennett Croswell, Vice President of F135 and F119 Engine Programs. "Delivering the final F135 test engine and the first lot of F135 production engines is clear evidence that the F135 has successfully transitioned from a development program to a full production program."

"The F135 program has had a remarkable year completing critical milestones including surpassing 17,500 test hours," Croswell continued, "receiving Initial Service Release Certification for our Conventional Take Off and Land variant engine, and achieving first vertical landing powered by our Short Take Off Vertical Land variant engine. These two engine delivery milestones further highlight Pratt & Whitney's dedication to the F-35 program."

Pratt & Whitney developed and tested the F135 to deliver the most advanced fifth generation fighter engine for the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, as well as for eight international partner countries. The F135 is derived from proven technology of the only operational fifth generation fighter engine, the Pratt & Whitney F119 that exclusively powers the F-22 with nearly 300,000 hours. It has been further enhanced with technologies developed in several Air Force and Navy technology programs.

FMI: www.pratt-whitney.com