Honeywell wants to improve the cooling system in the fifth-generation F-35 fighter jet, but fears being in a losing position when competing with the RTX

The F-35 Joint Programme Office has yet to announce a competition to improve the engine cooling system, but Honeywell is already getting worried. The company fears the competition may be unfair.

Here's What We Know

The reason for Honeywell's concerns is that the competitor could be RTX (formerly Raytheon). The latter is developing a system called EPACS (Enhanced Power and Cooling System)

For the creation of EPACS is responsible Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX. At the same time, the manufacturer of F135 engines for the fifth-generation fighter is Pratt & Whitney, another RTX subsidiary. It is the one that will perform the F-135 ECU upgrades.

This raises concerns for Honeywell. The company believes it will be at a disadvantage as RTX may get more additional information about the engine that other potential bidders will not have access to. This was stated by Matt Milas, president of the defence and space business of Honeywell Aerospace.

The information has already been commented on by representatives of Pratt & Whitney. In particular, vice president of the F135 programme Jen Latka said that the company is not hiding any data from Honeywell about the F-135 ECU upgrade.

In addition, she stated that Pratt & Whitney has not received any enquiries about the ECU in any way. Moreover, in June 2023, the JPO asked that no information regarding the ECU be disseminated to potential bidders.

Source: Defence One