Pentagon won't build adaptive engine for F-35 Lightning II - Pratt & Whitney received more than $497 million to upgrade F135 ECU

Pratt & Whitney announced that the Pentagon has imposed a ban on the integration of any engine other than the F135 into the fifth-generation fighters F-35A, F-35B and F-35C. This was written in a press release that was published on the official website of RTX (the parent company).

Here's What We Know

Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed a bipartisan bill. It, along with a ban on integrating alternative engines into the F-35 Lightning II, includes allocating more than $1bn to Pratt & Whitney:

• $497 million for F135 ECU upgrades;
• + $264 million toward the President's request to purchase parts for the F135;
• $280 million to develop engine technology for the sixth-generation fighter.

The F135 programme supports nearly 55,000 jobs in 41 US states and includes over 2,600 local suppliers. The decision to modernise the F135 was made by the US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps in March 2023.

Pratt & Whitney believes the F135 ECU (Engine Core Upgrade) is the most affordable, fastest and least risky way to increase engine capability to meet F-35 Block 4 upgrade requirements. A new adaptive engine will be developed for the sixth-generation fighters.

Source: RTX