Pratt & Whitney Delivers Final F135 Flight Test Engine, First Lot of Production Engines

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., May 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pratt & Whitney has delivered the final F135 flight test engine and the first lot of F135 production engines to the customer, marking yet another major program milestone as the engine continues to successfully power the F-35 flight test program. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.

"With these two significant milestones achieved, the F135 engine continues its unprecedented demonstration of maturity and dependability for the F-35 Lightning II," said Bennett Croswell, Vice President of F135 and F119 Engine Programs. "Delivering the final F135 test engine and the first lot of F135 production engines is clear evidence that the F135 has successfully transitioned from a development program to a full production program."

The full complement of 29 test engines delivered by Pratt & Whitney includes 11 ground test engines and 18 flight test engines. The first lot of F135 production engines consists of four CTOL engines all destined for aircraft that will support the flight training program at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

"The F135 program has had a remarkable year completing critical milestones including surpassing 17,500 test hours, receiving Initial Service Release Certification for our Conventional Take Off and Land variant engine, and achieving first vertical landing powered by our Short Take Off Vertical Land variant engine. These two engine delivery milestones further highlight Pratt & Whitney's dedication to the F-35 program and commitment to our customers," Croswell said. "I am so proud of the Pratt & Whitney F135 team who have a never-ending focus to deliver on our promises of quality, cost and performance."

Pratt & Whitney, the only engine manufacturer producing fifth generation propulsion systems, has designed, developed and tested the F135 to deliver the most advanced fifth generation fighter engine for the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, as well as for eight international partner countries.  The F135 is derived from proven technology of the only operational fifth generation fighter engine, the Pratt & Whitney F119 that exclusively powers the F-22 with nearly 300,000 hours.  It has been further enhanced with technologies developed in several Air Force and Navy technology programs.

The F135 propulsion system has proven it can meet diverse aircraft requirements, and the ground and flight test experience demonstrates the capability of the F135 engine for armed forces around the world. The Pratt & Whitney F135 engine continues to be the only engine powering the successful Lockheed Martin Flight Test Program.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future business opportunities and operational engine performance. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in funding related to the F-35 aircraft and F135 engines, changes in government procurement priorities and practices or in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corp.'s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

SOURCE Pratt & Whitney