Rolls-Royce awarded production and support contracts valued up to US$442m for F-35B Liftsystem

Rolls-Royce has been awarded three contracts totalling up to US$442m to produce and support LiftSystems for F-35B Lightning II aircraft, including price reductions from prior contracts. The new contracts cover Low Rate Initial Production of 17 LiftSystems for F-35B aircraft, plus support, for two contract periods (LRIP 7-8), and were agreed between Rolls-Royce and Pratt Whitney, the propulsion provider for the F-35 program. The LRIP 8 contract reflects a reduction in average price per LiftSystem since LRIP 6, as Rolls-Royce continues to demonstrate success in cost reduction efforts for the F-35 Lightning II program. LRIP7 also includes delivery of the 50th LiftFan for installation in an F-35B, as the LiftSystem continues to mature in production. The 50th LiftFan meets all Initial Operational Capability (IOC) requirements for the US Marine Corps.