Pratt & Whitney Completes Preliminary Design Review for F135 Engine Upgrade for F-35 Jet

Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, has completed the preliminary design review (PDR) for the F135 Engine Core Upgrade (ECU).

The upgrade is intended to enhance engine durability and performance, supporting the Block 4 capabilities for all three variants of the F-35 globally.

During the PDR, Pratt & Whitney and the F-35 Joint Program Office assessed the design changes and propulsion technologies necessary to extend the engine's lifespan and improve performance. These improvements are expected to support next-generation weapons and sensors.

The U.S. Department of Defense has selected the F135 ECU as the modernization solution for the F-35's propulsion system.

U.S. Navy Capt. Mitchell Grant, F-35 propulsion program manager, highlighted the significance of the PDR. "The PDR was a successful initial step towards meeting the performance and durability requirements of the F135," he stated.

To date, Pratt & Whitney has delivered more than 1,200 F135 production engines, with more than 860,000 engine flight hours recorded. The F135 ECU will be incorporated into F-35s at the point of production or retrofitted at one of the multiple F135 depot sustainment facilities.