Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX, has been awarded a US$2.8 billion un-definitised contract action (UCA) to manufacture Lot 18 of the F135 engines, the power source for all three variants of the F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation fighter aircraft. This latest contract underscores the strategic importance of the F135 programme in sustaining advanced air power capabilities for both the United States and its allied partners.
The funding covers production of engines for the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) version, the carrier variant (CV), and the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) model of the aircraft. In addition, it provides for spare engines, replacement modules, engineering and tooling support, programme management, and broader production assistance.
Highlighting the engine’s proven battlefield performance, Christopher K. Johnson, Vice President of the F-135 programme at Pratt & Whitney, emphasised its role in delivering “power, safety, reliability, and low observability” to operators. He further stated that the engine represents “an investment in mission assurance,” ensuring that war fighters have the technological advantage required to succeed in critical missions both now and in the future.
The F135 programme is a significant contributor to the U.S. defence industrial base. It currently supports over 67,000 domestic jobs and relies on a network of 240 suppliers across the United States. In 2024 alone, the programme contributed more than US$9.1 billion to the U.S. economy, demonstrating its extensive economic as well as military impact.
Pratt & Whitney has already delivered more than 1,300 F135 production engines to a global enterprise involving 20 allied nations, highlighting the international scope and collaboration underpinning the F-35 programme. The award of this new contract ensures continuity of supply and support for one of the most advanced and widely deployed fighter aircraft in the world.
By sustaining both economic output and defence capability, the contract reaffirms Pratt & Whitney’s role in underpinning U.S. and allied air superiority for decades to come.
