Fastest, Lowest-Risk, Most Cost-Efficient Support for F-35 Block 4

Pratt & Whitney has won a $115 million contract for the F135 engine enhancement programme – also referred to as an engine core upgrade, the company announced on 2 December. The upgrade delivers the fastest, most cost-efficient, lowest-risk path to F-35 Block 4 capability for all global F-35 operators. The contract award will support Pratt & Whitney’s preliminary development activities through 2023.

“Upgrades like this are a normal part of any major defense program, and the F135 engine has been pushed beyond its original specifications for too long,” said Jill Albertelli, President of Pratt & Whitney’s Military Engines business. “The F-35 engine core upgrade saves taxpayers $40 billion in lifecycle costs and builds upon a combat-tested engine architecture that has more than one million flight hours.”

This core upgrade is the only F-35 propulsion option that is a ‘drop in’ solution for all variants, adding no weight and avoiding disruptive and costly air vehicle changes that would introduce additional costs, schedule delays, and technical risk.