EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 25 CT-PrattWhitney-Contr
EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney was awarded
a production contract worth up to $491 million (including options) for F135
propulsion systems to power the F-35 Lightning II. This second F135 low rate
initial production contract will support 12 F-35 production aircraft,
including six short-takeoff/vertical-landing (STOVL) and six conventional
take-off/landing (CTOL). Propulsion system deliveries are scheduled to begin
in third quarter 2009. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp.
(NYSE: UTX) company.
"This is our second production contract for CTOL engines and the
introduction of the first production deliveries for the STOVL configuration,"
said Bill Gostic, vice president, Pratt & Whitney F135 engine programs. "This
milestone indicates the continued maturity of the F135 engine powering the
F-35 today, and validates the confidence our customer has in the CTOL and
STOVL propulsion systems."
In addition to F135 propulsion systems, the contract covers program
management, initial logistics support, engineering assistance, spare
propulsion systems and parts, and production tooling. This award is one in a
series of milestones for the F135 engine program, including exceeding 10,000
ground test hours as part of the system development and demonstration program;
logging 51 successful flight tests and more than 54 flight test hours of the
F135-powered CTOL F-35 aircraft; and completing 13 flights of the F-35B
powered by Pratt & Whitney's F135 STOVL propulsion system.
Rated at more than 40,000 pounds of thrust, the F135 is the most powerful
fighter engine ever built. The technologically advanced F135 is an evolution
of the highly successful F119 engine for the F-22 Raptor. By the time the F-35
enters operation, the F119 engines will have logged more than 480,000 flight
hours. In addition, the F135 will have logged 16,000 flight hours and more
than 17,000 ground test hours. The ground and flight test experience
demonstrate the maturity and the associated reliability of the F135 engine for
armed forces around the world.
The F135 STOVL propulsion system team consists of Pratt & Whitney, the
prime contractor with responsibility for the main engine and system
integration; Rolls-Royce of the United Kingdom, which provides lift components
for the STOVL F-35B; and United Technologies Corp.'s Hamilton Sundstrand unit,
provider of the engine control system and gearbox.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service
of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines.
United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company
providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and
building industries.
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future
business opportunities. Actual results may differ materially from those
projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not
limited to changes in the Lightning II funding related to the F-35 aircraft
and F135 engines, changes in government procurement priorities and practices
or in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in the design,
development, production and support of technologies; as well as other risks
and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to
time in United Technologies Corporation's Securities and Exchange Commission
filings.
Stephanie DuvallJennifer Whitlow
Pratt & Whitney Military EnginesPratt & Whitney
860.557.1382860.565.9600
stephanie.duvall@pw.utc.com jennifer.whitlow@pw.utc.com
SOURCE Pratt & Whitney
