Pratt & Whitney prepares to begin detailed design of F135 engine upgrade for fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets - power plant will save $40bn

Pratt & Whitney is completing a preliminary design review (PDR) of the F135 engine upgrade for the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter. Early next year, the company plans to begin the detailed design phase of the Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) programme.

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Pratt & Whitney is doing everything it can to stay on schedule. In particular, the company has increased the number of staff from 200 to 500 to meet the F135 ECU project deadline.

The PDR will focus on demonstrating that the project meets customer requirements. Pratt & Whitney must also prove that the programme has acceptable risk and sufficient maturity to move into the detailed design phase.

With the F135 ECU design, the propulsion system will have everything it needs to support the additional capabilities that will come with the Block 4 upgrade. The announcement was made by Jill Albertelli, president of Pratt & Whitney's Military Propulsion Division.

The PDR is funded through a $115 million contract that was awarded in December 2022. Pratt & Whitney is also using the additional funding allocated for fiscal year 2023.

The F135 ECU is the fastest, cheapest and least risky way to prepare the jet engine for the Block 4 upgrade. The powerplant will be installed in all F-35 variants and will save $40 billion over the life of the engine.

Source: Pratt & Whitney