Pratt & Whitney's F119 Engine Hot Section Demonstrates Full-Life Capability

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., March 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney's F119 engine powering the U.S. Air Force's F-22 Raptor, successfully reached its first hot section full-life capability of 4,325 total accumulated cycles (TACs), during a recent mission at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. This achievement was made possible through an accelerated engine maturity program, using engines that "lead the fleet" to demonstrate full-life capability of F119 production engines.  Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.  

"We are delighted with the exceptional performance of the F119, and are proud to partner with our U.S. Air Force customer on this important program," said Bennett Croswell, vice president, F135/F119 Engine Programs, Pratt & Whitney. "Being able to conduct a full-life overhaul, years ahead of the remainder of the operational fleet, provides valuable insight and confidence on this fifth-generation engine, as well as the F135 engine, powering the F-35 Lightning II today."  

The accelerated maturity program for the F119 engine, called "Compass Vector", is a partnership between Pratt & Whitney and the U.S. Air Force.  These "lead the fleet" engines fly approximately two times the normal fly rate at operational bases in various environmental conditions.  The advanced data collection from this program identifies sustainment opportunities aimed at maximizing readiness within the life cycle cost expectations for the entire F119 powered F-22 fleet.  

Pratt & Whitney continues to deliver both F119 and F135 engines from the fifth generation production line, with approximately 360 F119 engines and 18 F135 production engines delivered to date.  The F135 is the only engine powering the F-35 Lightning II flight test program today with more than 740 flights, 1,200 flight hours and 64 flawless vertical landings.  The F119 and the F135 are the only two fifth generation afterburner fighter engines in production today.

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 the operational prospects for certain engines and, accordingly, the potential for future business opportunities. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in the USAF's funding related to the F-22 and F-35 aircraft and F119 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 technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corporation's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Stephanie Duvall
Pratt & Whitney Military Engines
860.557.1382
[email protected]

SOURCE Pratt & Whitney