First Flight Scheduled For May 2008

Pratt & Whitney tells ANN it has delivered the first F135 short-takeoff/vertical-landing (STOVL) propulsion system, including the Rolls-Royce Lift System, to Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, TX. The propulsion system will support airframe and engine interface evaluations for the first STOVL F-35 flight test aircraft, scheduled for first flight in May 2008.

"The on-time delivery of the first STOVL propulsion system is a significant milestone for the F135 program and is attributed to the partnership between Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Hamilton Sundstrand, Lockheed Martin and the Joint Program Office," said Bill Gostic, vice president, Pratt & Whitney F135 engine program. "The team is completely focused on meeting our commitments to our customers, including first STOVL flight in 2008 and first production aircraft delivery in 2009."

"The STOVL propulsion system for the F-35B is a uniquely capable system," added Kevin McCarty, program director STOVL, Rolls-Royce. "This is a key step on the road to flight qualification and we look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate the capability of the system."

Pratt & Whitney, lead propulsion system provider for the F-35 Lightning II, teamed with Rolls-Royce to develop the F135 STOVL powerplant. The Pratt & Whitney/Rolls-Royce F135 STOVL propulsion system has accumulated over 1,700 STOVL hours and over 4,300 total run hours. Pratt & Whitney's F135 engine has exceeded 8,500 system development and demonstration (SDD) ground test hours.

FMI: www.pw.utc.com