The Pentagon has increased to $5.5bn its contract with Pratt & Whitney to support F117 engines for the C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft

The US Department of Defence awarded Pratt & Whitney a contract several years ago to support F117 propulsion systems. Recently, the amount of the agreement has doubled from the original amount.

Here's What We Know

In 2017, the Pentagon agreed with Pratt & Whitney to maintain and repair F117-PW-100 turbofan engines for the U.S. fleet of C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft. The deal was worth $2.7bn, but recently increased to $5.5bn and already includes support for US Air Force and allied aircraft.

The engine improvement package will save the C-17 Globemaster III from more than 20 workshop visits. It will save $29 million a year in fuel costs (6.5 million gallons) and reduce carbon emissions by 63.5 million kg.

One of the innovations will be a new technology for coating compressor blades. Experts at the US Air Force Research Laboratory believe this will extend operating time by 16 per cent and reduce fuel consumption by more than 1 per cent.

Pratt & Whitney has been supporting F117 propulsion systems for more than 30 years. The company's work has enabled C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft to fly more than 17 million hours in military and humanitarian missions.

Source: Pratt & Whitney