Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX, has been awarded a contract worth up to $1.3 billion to continue its work on the F135 Engine Core Upgrade (ECU).
The upgrade is designed to improve engine durability and provide enhanced power and cooling capabilities for the Block 4 upgrades and future enhancements of the F-35 fighter jet, across all three variants in the global fleet.
“This contract is critical to continuing our positive forward momentum on this program,” said Jill Albertelli, president of Pratt & Whitney’s Military Engines division. “It allows us to continue work in the risk reduction phase with a fully staffed team focused on design maturation, aircraft integration, and mobilizing the supply base to prepare for production.”
In July, Pratt & Whitney completed the preliminary design review of the F135 ECU, marking an important milestone in the alignment between the company and the F-35 Joint Program Office on the upgrade’s design. Over 700 engineers and program managers are now working full-time on the program to ensure the engine’s future readiness.
The contract also has widespread support from the U.S. Congress. “We are fortunate to have bipartisan and bicameral support from our congressional advocates, especially the Connecticut and Maine delegations led by senior appropriators Sen. Susan Collins and Rep. Rosa DeLauro,” said Jeff Shockey, senior vice president of RTX Global Government Relations. “Their steadfast commitment to the F135 ensures it will deliver critical capabilities for decades to come.”
The F135 program plays a key role in the U.S. economy, supporting over 57,000 jobs across 43 states. Connecticut and Maine, in particular, benefit from the program’s continued success, which is seen as a major driver of economic growth in these regions.
To date, Pratt & Whitney has delivered more than 1,200 F135 engines, with more than 900,000 flight hours recorded. The ECU upgrade will be incorporated into new F-35s at the point of production or retrofitted into existing aircraft through depot sustainment facilities worldwide. This upgrade will be available to all F-35 operators, ensuring that the fighter jet remains a vital component of global defense for years to come.