What Do a 757 and a C-17 Have in Common?

Pratt & Whitney let us know that it has received a contract from the U.S. Air Force valued at more than $1.4 billion to produce F117-PW-100 engines that power the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifter. The contract covers 240 engines, along with associated spares and support services, to be delivered in 2004-2007.

"Pratt & Whitney is pleased that the U.S. Air Force continues to demonstrate its confidence in the F117 engine and the C-17 aircraft," said Steve Peery, director of Mobility programs, P&W. "Both the aircraft and engines are performing superbly for our Air Force customer. The C-17 is absolutely critical to our forces in the war in Iraq and also the war on terror, and we are very proud to be a part of this exceptional air system."

Four F117-PW-100 engines power each C-17. (The F117 is a military version of P&W's commercial PW2000 engine (shown), which has been in service for nearly 20 years on the Boeing 757. The PW2000 has accumulated more than 25 million flight hours, is the most fuel-efficient engine in its thrust class, and has an outstanding record of performance and reliability.)

Let's back up...

One of the few differences between the commercial PW2000 and the F117 is that the F117 has a unique thrust reverser system that can be deployed in flight for tactical descents. It also enables the aircraft to back up a two-degree incline and make tight turns on the ground, providing more landing and unloading areas and faster aircraft throughput. The F117 engines have logged more than one million flight hours since their entry into service in September 1991. To date, P&W has delivered more than 520 F117 engines to the U.S. Air Force.

The U.S. Air Force has ordered 180 C-17s, including 60 aircraft placed on order in June 2002.

FMI: www.pratt-whitney.com