The U.S. Navy has awarded a contract modification to Pratt & Whitney valued at nearly $2.9 billion for the production of additional engines for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. This contract will enable Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX, to manufacture and deliver 141 F135 engines intended for new F-35 aircraft used by the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and international partners in the F-35 program.
According to the Navy, the completion of these engines is scheduled for February 2028. The production will take place across multiple Pratt & Whitney facilities located in Connecticut, Indiana, Washington, Maine, and other sites. These engines will be part of the 18th lot of F-35 fighters being assembled primarily at the Lockheed Martin facility in Forth Worth, Texas.
The Navy has previously awarded Lockheed Martin a contract in December 2024 worth up to $11.8 billion for the production and delivery of 145 Lot 18 F-35s, with an expected completion date by the end of June 2027.
The funding for the engines comes from various sources, with the Navy allocating nearly $656 million for procurement in 2024 and 2025. The Air Force will contribute approximately $614.6 million, while foreign military customers are expected to provide $513.7 million, and non-U.S. participants will supply $228.5 million.
In related news, Boeing has secured a sole-source Navy contract valued at $315 million to repair landing gears for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter aircraft. This work will take place in various locations including St. Louis, Quebec, Canada, and Fort Walton Beach, Florida, with completion anticipated by September 2029.
On Thursday, the Navy also awarded Lockheed Martin a contract modification worth $27 million to acquire specialized tooling and testing equipment to support the Joint Strike Fighter program.
The contracting authority for these agreements is the Naval Air Systems Command based in Patuxent River, Maryland for the Pratt & Whitney and Lockheed Martin contracts. The Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support in Philadelphia oversees the landing gear repair contract with Boeing.
These contracts signify a significant investment in maintaining and enhancing the capabilities of the U.S. military’s advanced fighter jet programs, ensuring the readiness and performance of crucial defense systems.