Pratt & Whitney received $5.2bn to produce F135 engines for F-35A, F-35B and F-35C fighters

The United States Department of Defense recently authorised Pratt & Whitney to resume supplying F135 engines for the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jet. Immediately afterwards, the manufacturer was awarded an additional contract.

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The US aerospace company has delivered more than 1,000 F135 engines to the US military as of December 2022. The new $5.2 billion contract calls for the production of 278 powerplants for the F-35A, F-35B and F-35C, with an option for an additional 240 units.

The agreement also states that Pratt & Whitney will provide engineering support. Vice President Jen Latka said the contract marks an important milestone and allows the company to continue to deliver critical components at a fair and reasonable price for taxpayers. The company calls the F135 the most powerful and most advanced fighter jet engine in the US arsenal.

In late 2022, Lockheed Martin grounded all aircraft and halted deliveries after an accident in Texas. Later, Pratt & Whitney halted deliveries of the F135. A few months later a solution was found and the day before the first F-35 was able to take to the skies.

Source: Pratt & Whitney