The 845,000-square-foot facility will serve as a hub for depot operations for all Pratt & Whitney military engines, including those for the F-35, C-17, F-22, F-15, F-16, B-52, and E-3 AWACS.
Pratt & Whitney, a Raytheon Technologies business, has announced the company’s plans to invest $255 million through 2028 to build a new sustainment facility in Oklahoma City in the United States of America. The 845,000-square-foot facility will serve as a hub for depot operations for all Pratt & Whitney military engines, including those for the F-35, C-17, F-22, F-15, F-16, B-52, and E-3 AWACS.
“This is an exciting announcement for Oklahoma and our growing international dominance in the aerospace and defense industry,” said Kevin Stitt, Governor, Oklahoma. “This $255 million investment in a world-class sustainment center helps strengthen Oklahoma’s position as the MRO capital of the world and I am thrilled for Pratt & Whitney to continue to invest and expand in our state,” he further added.
Pratt & Whitney’s Oklahoma City site is part of a global sustainment network that includes activities in Australia, Japan, Netherlands, and Norway, and other U.S. locations. As the only site capable of performing all F135 power module scope levels, the new Oklahoma City Sustainment Center facility will increase the site’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities as the F135 program continues to expand.
“Pratt & Whitney’s Oklahoma City site plays a critical role in our global sustainment network,” said Jill Albertelli, president, Pratt & Whitney Military Engines. “Last year, the team achieved record output for the F117, F119, and F135 Heavy Maintenance Centers—this investment in a new facility will further expand our capabilities and reaffirm our commitment to our customer for years to come. We are grateful for the support provided by our partner, the United States Air Force, and by the state of Oklahoma and the local community,” she further added.
Pratt & Whitney’s Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) is a block upgrade for the F135, which aims to provide an affordable, low-risk, and agile pathway to fielding meaningful propulsion capability for all F-35 customers. ECU leverages Department of Defense investments in adaptive technology to deliver the advanced capability needed for Block 4 and beyond, while maintaining the variant-commonality and international partnership approach that the joint program was built upon.
“Expanding the Oklahoma City Sustainment Center is a direct investment in improving our military’s ability to meet national security objectives,” said Tom Cole, Congressman, (OK-04). “This facility will play a particularly important role in rapidly delivering the F135 engine core upgrade to the F-35 fleet, which is critical to ensuring all the services have the capabilities they need to fight an advancing threat starting in 2028,” he further added.
The Oklahoma City F135 Heavy Maintenance Center, which was activated in 2014, is responsible for the majority of the F135’s maintenance work. Last year, the site produced 73 power modules on a requirement of 60 modules—a 43% increase from 2021, or 61% of the total power module output for the sustainment network. In 2023 the site will be responsible for a requirement of 78 production power modules.
“Pratt & Whitney has a long history in Oklahoma City, and we congratulate them on this new facility, which enhances their efficiency and ability to serve the U.S. Air Force,” said David Holt, City Mayor, Oklahoma. “Tinker is a cornerstone of Oklahoma City’s economy and culture, and supporting companies that support the base is important to our entire city. Pratt & Whitney’s investment in our city, and in the jobs added with this new facility, is significant and appreciated,” he further added.
The new facility, which will consolidate six existing sites, is expected to create new jobs primarily in engineering and procurement functions. The salary for new positions will be upwards of $80,000, dependent on skills and experience.
“We have been honored to partner with Pratt & Whitney and coordinate the Oklahoma City team as they developed this project,” said Christy Gillenwater, President and CEO, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. “We appreciate the work of our additional partners, including the Oklahoma Industries Authority and Alliance for Economic Development for their work on the site acquisition. Pratt & Whitney has been a critical part of our business community for many years, and we look forward to a long relationship, working together to support their mission,” he further added.
Pratt & Whitney has a long history in Oklahoma, dating back to the establishment of an Army depot for the C-47 Skytrain Assembly in the 1940s. Today, the Oklahoma City site employs more than 450 full-time employees and an additional 450 partner contractors across several disciplines including engineering, data analytics, materials and logistics, quality, and procurement.
This new facility, comprising offices, meeting and collaboration spaces, a sustainment center, and an onsite exercise facility, will consolidate six existing sites, bringing all disciplines into two locations: Pratt & Whitney’s Oklahoma City Sustainment Center and Tinker Air Force Base’s Air Logistics Complex.
