The Pratt & Whitney contract entails providing engine services for the C-17 aircraft operated by the USAF and eight international partners.
Pratt & Whitney, a business under RTX, has secured a $5.5 billion modification to its existing F117 Engine Sustainment Support contract with the United States Air Force. The contract entails providing engine services for the C-17 aircraft operated by the USAF and eight international partners. The sustainment work will be carried out until the second half of 2027 at various locations, including Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, as well as facilities in San Francisco and Columbus, Georgia.
The contract modification aligns with the USAF’s objectives of enhancing readiness, affordability, and sustainability. It includes an engine performance improvement package that will extend the time on wing for the F117 engines, eliminating over 20 shop visits per year. This enhancement will result in significant cost savings of approximately $29 million annually in fuel expenses. Moreover, the improved fuel efficiency of the F117 engines is expected to save up to 6.5 million gallons of fuel each year and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 140 million pounds annually.
“The global fleet of F117 engines is a benchmark for dependable, safe and reliable propulsion,” said Jill Albertelli, president of Military Engines, Pratt & Whitney. “As a trusted Air Force partner, we intend to maintain the strength of this relationship and bring new benefits to the Air Force and the eight F117 international operators,” she further added.
This upgrade, which is part of the sustainment support contract modification, incorporates proven technologies that have already been successfully employed in other engine models. The upgraded hardware will be integrated into the engines during routine planned maintenance, following the completion of engineering changes, Service Bulletin publication, and industrialization of all necessary parts.
“One specific product improvement we are looking to incorporate under this contract is a compressor blade coating technology, which according to the Air Force Research Laboratory’s estimates, can extend time on wing by up to 16% and reduce fuel burn by over 1%,” explained Chris Johnson, vice president of Fighter and Mobility Programs, Pratt & Whitney. “If we can improve durability for the Air Force while lessening impact on the environment, then that is a win-win,” he further added.
Pratt & Whitney has been a trusted partner of the Air Force for over three decades, collaborating in the development, production, and sustainment of the F117 engine. These engines have accumulated more than 17 million flight hours, supporting a wide range of military and humanitarian missions across the globe. With a certified thrust of 40,440 pounds, the F117 engine has consistently exceeded expectations in terms of time on wing, in-flight shutdowns, and reduced turnaround time.
Under this contract, Pratt & Whitney aims to incorporate various product improvements, including the application of compressor blade coating technology. This technology, according to the Air Force Research Laboratory, has the potential to increase time on wing by up to 16% and reduce fuel burn by over 1%. By enhancing durability for the Air Force while minimizing environmental impact, Pratt & Whitney aims to achieve a win-win outcome.
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The continued partnership between Pratt & Whitney and the Air Force underscores their shared commitment to advancing aircraft performance, reducing operational costs, and promoting environmental sustainability. The F117 engine sustainment support contract modification further solidifies Pratt & Whitney’s position as a leader in delivering reliable propulsion systems for critical military operations.
