Pratt & Whitney is in the final stage of the preliminary design review (PDR) of the F135 engine upgrade for the fifth generation F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft. The company plans to start the detailed design phase of the Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) program in the early stages of next year.
Pratt & Whitney is making every effort to meet the schedule. They have increased their work team from 200 to 500 employees to ensure the timely implementation of the F135 ECU project.
The PDR will be aimed at demonstrating that the project meets the customer’s requirements. In addition, Pratt & Whitney must demonstrate that the program has an acceptable level of risk and sufficient maturity to proceed to the exploratory design phase.
Thanks to the F135 ECU project, the powerplant will receive all the necessary improvements to support the new capabilities that will come with the Block 4 modernization. This was stated by Jill Albertelli, President of Pratt & Whitney’s Military Engine Division.
The PDR is being financed by a $115 million contract signed in December 2022. In addition, Pratt & Whitney is using additional funds allocated for fiscal year 2023.
The F135 ECU is the fastest, most efficient and least risky way to prepare a jet engine for Block 4 modernization. This powerplant upgrade will be used in all F-35 variants and should ultimately bring significant economic benefits of $40 billion over the engine’s life cycle.
The F135 ECU project is seen as a fast, cost-effective and less risky way to prepare the jet engine for Block 4 modernization. Pratt & Whitney plans to ensure compliance with customer requirements and demonstrate its readiness for the next stages of development.
The completion of the PDR is an important step in the implementation of this ambitious project, which will further improve the F-35 fighter jet and increase its effectiveness. Pratt & Whitney is confident in the successful completion of the project and in contributing to the development of modern military aviation technologies.
