Article Posted on : - May 28, 2010

The F135 is the only engine powering the F-35 Lightning II flight test programme. Pratt & Whitney Photo.

CONNECTICUT (BNS): Pratt & Whitney has delivered the final F135 flight test engine and also the first lot of F135 production engines to the customer, marking yet another major programme milestone as the engine continues to successfully power the F-35 flight test programme.

The 29 test engines delivered by Pratt & Whitney include 11 ground test engines and 18 flight test engines. The first lot of F135 production engines consists of four CTOL engines all destined for aircraft that will support the flight training programme at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

"With these two significant milestones achieved, the F135 engine continues its unprecedented demonstration of maturity and dependability for the F-35 Lightning II," said Bennett Croswell, Vice President of F135 and F119 Engine Programmes, as quoted in the company news release.

The F135 is derived from proven technology of the only operational fifth generation fighter engine, the Pratt & Whitney F119 that exclusively powers the F-22 with nearly 300,000 hours. It has been further enhanced with technologies developed in several Air Force and Navy technology programmes.

Pratt & Whitney, the only engine manufacturer producing fifth generation propulsion systems, has designed, developed and tested the F135 to deliver the most advanced fifth generation fighter engine for the US Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, as well as for eight international partner countries.

"The F135 programme has had a remarkable year completing critical milestones including surpassing 17,500 test hours, receiving Initial Service Release Certification for our Conventional Take Off and Land variant engine, and achieving first vertical landing powered by our Short Take Off Vertical Land variant engine. These two engine delivery milestones further highlight Pratt & Whitney's dedication to the F-35 program and commitment to our customers," Croswell added.

Currently, the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine continues to be the only engine powering the successful Lockheed Martin Flight Test Programme.