This brings the total secured funding for the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine modernization effort to $180 million, thanks to the support of the Connecticut congressional delegation.
Pratt & Whitney, a business under RTX, has been awarded a definitive contract modification worth $66 million for the continued preliminary design efforts of the F135 Engine Core Upgrade. This brings the total secured funding for the engine modernization effort to $180 million, thanks to the support of the Connecticut congressional delegation. The funding will be utilized for design engineering, program management support, technology maturation, risk reduction, long lead material and hardware purchase, as well as weapons system integration.
In March 2023, the decision was made by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Navy to upgrade the F135 engine rather than replacing it with an entirely new engine. This decision was announced as part of President Biden’s 2024 budget proposal. Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35 aircraft, expressed its support for the F135 ECU on June 30, 2023, reaffirming its commitment to assisting the U.S. Government’s decision.
Jen Latka, Vice President for the F135 program, Pratt & Whitney said, “We’re extremely grateful for the ceaseless support we receive from the entire Connecticut delegation. We’ll use this funding to make quick progress on our Engine Core Upgrade’s preliminary design efforts, and that will keep us on track to deliver this important capability starting in 2028.”
The F135 Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) is considered the fastest, most cost-effective, and lowest-risk path to achieving Block 4 capability for all global F-35 operators. It has been optimized for all three F-35 variants and is expected to generate $40 billion in lifecycle cost savings by avoiding disruptive and costly air vehicle changes while leveraging the existing global sustainment infrastructure.
Representative Rosa DeLauro, ranking member, House Appropriations Committee said, “A modernized F-35 needs a modernized engine to support it. The additional $66 million for the F135 Engine Core Upgrade we’ve secured will help us maintain a skilled workforce in Connecticut and around the country to deliver this much-needed capability. Upgrading the F135 is the right decision to support our national defense priorities and defense industrial base, and I’ll continue to ensure this program gets the support and funding it needs.”
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The continued investment in the F135 Engine Core Upgrade underscores the importance of enhancing the capabilities of the F-35 aircraft. This significant funding will enable Pratt & Whitney to advance its preliminary design efforts and stay on track to deliver this crucial upgrade by 2028. The modernized engine will contribute to the operational effectiveness of the F-35 fleet while ensuring cost savings and maintaining a strong defense industrial base.
