U.S. Air Force and Pratt & Whitney Complete First F117 Overhaul at Oklahoma Maintenance Facility

PARIS, June 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- PARIS AIR SHOW -- With the assistance of Pratt & Whitney representatives, Airmen at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Okla., recently completed repairs on the first F117 engine at the base's new F117 Heavy Maintenance Center. Four Pratt & Whitney F117 engines power the C-17 which serves the strategic airlift and mobility and humanitarian needs of the U.S. Air Force, United Kingdom's Royal Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, UAE Air Force and other international partners. Pratt & Whitney is a business unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

The new Heavy Maintenance Center is a key element of a partnership agreement between the U.S. Air Force and Pratt & Whitney. Currently the 45,000 square-foot shop, with 30 mechanics, can repair four F117s at once.

Members of the Pratt & Whitney team will work with 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group at Tinker's Oklahoma City Air Force Logistics Command to perform about one-third of the repair workload on the more than 1,000 F117s in U.S. Air Force service.

The first engine took several months to overhaul, but once the center matures, workers are expected to be able to overhaul and repair each F117 in about two months. When the shop grows to 96,000 sq. ft., it will employ 150 technicians and be able to handle six to 10 engines at a time.

"We are pleased the U.S. Air Force has shown such confidence in Pratt & Whitney's Military Aftermarket Services team," said Bill Begert, vice president, Military Business Development and Aftermarket Services at Pratt & Whitney. "Our facility in Oklahoma City has great people and the latest technology and equipment available to the U.S. military. We look forward to continuing to providing superior service on this and other very important programs."

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning 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 government procurement priorities and practices, budget plans and availability of funding, and 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 the companies' Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

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. Please visit www.utcaero.com for news from Pratt & Whitney and United Technologies at the Paris Air Show 2011.

Shawn Watson
Pratt & Whitney Military Engines
Int'l Mobile: +1.860.371.3256
[email protected]

SOURCE Pratt & Whitney