Connecticut, August 25 - Pratt & Whitney, a division of RTX, has secured a significant $2.9 billion contract modification from the U.S. Department of Defense to manufacture and deliver 141 F135 engines for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program. Announced on August 23, 2025, this multi-year agreement supports the 18th production lot of the F-35, supplying engines for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, as well as international partners and foreign military sales customers. The contract, with work scheduled for completion by February 2028, underscores Pratt & Whitney’s critical role in powering the global F-35 fleet. Funding for the contract includes $575.7 million from Navy aircraft procurement, $537.3 million from Air Force aircraft procurement for fiscal year 2024, and additional contributions from fiscal year 2025 budgets and international customers. The production will span multiple U.S. states and international locations, reflecting the program’s global reach and collaborative nature. This deal strengthens Pratt & Whitney’s position as the sole engine provider for the F-35, a role it has held since delivering the first F135 engines in 2009.
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The F135 engine, derived from the F119 engine that powers the F-22 Raptor, is a cornerstone of the F-35’s advanced capabilities, delivering up to 43,000 pounds of thrust with afterburner. It exclusively powers all three variants of the F-35: the conventional takeoff and landing F-35A, the carrier-based F-35C, and the short takeoff/vertical landing F-35B, which incorporates Rolls-Royce’s LiftSystem for enhanced maneuverability. To date, Pratt & Whitney has delivered over 1,300 F135 engines, which have collectively logged more than one million flight hours across operational and combat missions in multiple regions. The engine’s reliability and performance have made it integral to the F-35’s success, with the global fleet surpassing 1,200 aircraft by mid-2025. Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for the F-35, delivered 110 jets in 2024 and aims to produce up to 190 in 2025, making the F-35 the most prolific fighter jet in U.S. production.
The $2.9 billion contract comes amid ongoing discussions about the F-35 program’s future, particularly regarding its single-engine design. The F135’s continued production ensures the program’s momentum, supporting a diverse operator base that includes over a dozen countries, such as Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy, Israel, and Australia. The U.S. remains the largest customer, planning to acquire over 2,400 F-35s. The contract also aligns with future upgrades, notably the F135 Engine Core Upgrade (ECU), slated for integration into the F-35 Block IV modernization around 2029. The ECU aims to enhance thrust, improve thermal management, and increase efficiency, addressing the evolving demands of modern air combat. Additionally, Pratt & Whitney is developing the Enhanced Power and Cooling System (EPACS), which has reached prototype testing and will boost electrical power and cooling capacity for future F-35 variants.
This contract solidifies Pratt & Whitney’s long-term commitment to the F-35 program, which is projected to generate significant cost savings over the fleet’s lifetime. The company anticipates that upgraded F135 engines, expected to enter service from 2028, could save approximately $40 billion globally through improved efficiency and performance. The F-35 program’s international scope, with participation from multiple partner nations, highlights its strategic importance in fostering interoperability among allied forces. As production ramps up and modernization efforts progress, Pratt & Whitney’s role in delivering cutting-edge propulsion systems remains pivotal to the F-35’s dominance as a fifth-generation fighter, ensuring its operational readiness for decades to come.