Pratt & Whitney to invest US$255 million in world-class sustainment facility in Oklahoma City

Pratt & Whitney plans to invest US$255 million (£183 million) through 2028 in a world-class sustainment facility in Oklahoma City, Okla. The new 845,000-ft² facility will act as a hub for depot operations for all Pratt & Whitney military engines, including those for the F-35, C-17, F-22, F-15, F-16, B-52, and E-3 AWACS.

“Pratt & Whitney's Oklahoma City site plays a critical role in our global sustainment network,” said Jill Albertelli, President, Pratt & Whitney Military Engines. “Last year, the team achieved record output for the F117, F119, and F135 Heavy Maintenance Centres—this investment in a new facility will further expand our capabilities and reaffirm our commitment to our customer for years to come. We are grateful for the support provided by our partner, the United States Air Force and by the state of Oklahoma and the local community.”

Pratt & Whitney's Oklahoma City site is part of a global sustainment network—complimenting activations in Australia, Japan, Netherlands and Norway and U.S. locations in Marine Corp Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina, Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida and West Palm Beach. As the only site capable of performing all F135 power module scope levels, the new Oklahoma City Sustainment Centre facility will increase the site's maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities as the F135 programme continues to expand.

Pratt & Whitney's Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) is a block upgrade for the F135, with the objective of providing an affordable, low-risk and agile pathway to fielding meaningful propulsion capability for all F-35 customers. ECU leverages Department of Defence investments in adaptive technology to deliver the advanced capability needed for Block 4 and beyond, while maintaining the variant-commonality and international partnership approach that the joint programme was built upon.