Article Posted on : - Dec 27, 2011

C-17 Globemaster III airlifter.

EAST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT (BNS): Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corp, recently received a contract to produce the first four F117-PW-100 engines that will power the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III for the Indian Air Force.

The engines will be delivered in the second quarter of 2012. Earlier this year, the defence had signed a letter of offer and acceptance with the US government to acquire 10 C-17s. The Air Force will take delivery of its first C-17s in early 2013, a company statement said.

"We are delighted the Indian Air Force has selected the C-17 with Pratt & Whitney F117 engines to support its airlift mission. We look forward to helping strengthen the country's aerospace capabilities and humanitarian efforts," Bev Deachin, vice president, Military Programs and Customer Support, Pratt & Whitney said.

Four F117s provide exclusive power for the C-17 Globemaster III. The F117-PW-100 is the sister engine of Pratt & Whitney's PW2037 commercial engine powering the Boeing 757. Boeing has delivered 239 C-17s featuring F117 engines worldwide, including 25 with international customers.