Pratt & Whitney Completes Preliminary Design Review for F-35 Engine Upgrade

RTX Corporation’s subsidiary, Pratt & Whitney, announced the successful completion of a preliminary design review for a significant engine upgrade intended to enhance the durability and performance of all three variants of the F-35 fighter jet. This milestone marks a critical advancement in the modernization of the F-35’s propulsion system, an initiative fully funded by the U.S. government since March.

The F-35, produced by Lockheed Martin, represents about 27% of the aerospace giant’s sales, underscoring the jet’s importance in both military operations and Lockheed Martin’s portfolio. The upgrade, known as the F135 engine core upgrade (ECU), aims to ensure the F-35 remains the most advanced air dominance fighter in the world, according to Pratt & Whitney.

This development follows a series of regulatory clearances and operational pauses. The U.S. government had previously halted, then resumed, the delivery of the F-135 engines due to safety concerns discovered in December. Similarly, Lockheed Martin faced a temporary stop in F-35 deliveries due to a dispute over costs associated with correcting a production error identified in 2017 that led to corrosion issues.

The successful preliminary design review not only moves Pratt & Whitney closer to implementing the ECU across the F-35 fleet but also highlights the ongoing commitment to maintaining the technological superiority and reliability of one of the world’s most sophisticated fighter jets.