F135 for the JSF Runs to Full Afterburner

Pratt & Whitney (P&W) is going for the gusto,  as its first F135 production configuration test engine (FX631) has successfully completed its first test run to full power with full afterburner. The F135 will power the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

This milestone represents the first time FX631 has been run to full augmented power. FX631 has performed exceptionally well through its first quarter of testing in 2003 and is continuing its success in 2004 with this milestone. To date FX631 has completed several key testing objectives and accumulated over 150 hours of total run time.

"It's just awesome," said Bill Gostic, Director of F135 Engine Programs at P&W. "To have gone from concept to running at full afterburner thrust on our first engine in production configuration in only two years is astonishing. I once again tip my hat to the entire F135 Propulsion System Team for a continued job well done."

The F135 program has also recently delivered its second engine to test on time. FX633 is currently on site at P&W's West Palm Beach test facility and has begun testing. Looking ahead to spring, P&W with its teammates, Rolls- Royce and Hamilton Sundstrand, expects to be ready to test the first Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL) system on schedule in the second quarter of 2004.

The F135 Propulsion System Team consists of P&W, the prime contractor with responsibility for the propulsion system and system integration for all variants; Hamilton Sundstrand, provider of the F135's control system, external accessories and gearbox; and Rolls-Royce, providing the Rolls-Royce LiftFan(TM), 3 Bearing Swivel Module and Roll Posts to the STOVL (Short Take- Off/Vertical Landing) F-35B. The technologically advanced F135 has evolved from the highly acclaimed F119 engine powering the F/A-22 Raptor.

FMI:  www.pw.utc.com