The US Department of Defense has awarded Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business unit, a $3.8 billion contract for the production of F135 engines powering the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft. The award forms part of the broader Joint Strike Fighter program, which oversees production, sustainment, and lifecycle support for the global fleet of fifth-generation jets.
According to Pentagon details, the contract modification finalizes manufacturing for Lot 18 engines while adding scope to support Lot 19 production. With this addition, the combined value of propulsion contracts across both lots rises to approximately $6.6 billion, covering deliveries to the US Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, international partners, and foreign military sales customers.
In addition to full-rate engine production, Pratt & Whitney will provide spare parts, modules, engineering support, and technical services to ensure operational readiness and supply chain continuity. Most manufacturing will take place in Connecticut, supported by activities across multiple US states and international locations. The program is scheduled for completion by March 2028 under the supervision of Naval Air Systems Command in Maryland.
The F135 engine, derived from the F119 used in the F-22 Raptor, is a high-performance afterburning turbofan that powers all variants of the F-35. Delivering around 115,000 horsepower, it enables speeds up to Mach 1.6, operational ceilings of 50,000 feet, and ranges exceeding 1,300 nautical miles. To date, more than 1,400 engines have been delivered across 20 allied nations, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and contributing significantly to the US economy.
