RTX Awarded $3.81B Contract for F-35 Jet Engines

RTX has been awarded a $3.81 billion contract modification for the production of F135 propulsion systems supporting the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, according to a statement released by the Pentagon.

The modification finalizes Lot 18 engine production and includes additional F135 engines for Lot 19 F-35 aircraft. The engines will support operations for the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, F-35 cooperative program partners, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. The project is expected to be completed by March 2028.

The F135 engine, developed by Pratt & Whitney, powers all variants of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft. It is an afterburning turbofan engine producing more than 43,000 pounds of thrust, depending on the variant.

Three variants of the engine are used across the F-35 fleet: the F135-PW-100 for the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing model, the F135-PW-600 for the F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing variant, and the F135-PW-400 for the carrier-based F-35C.

The engine features a two-spool axial-flow design with a three-stage fan, six-stage high-pressure compressor, and high-pressure turbine. According to available specifications, the design includes fewer parts compared to earlier engines, allowing maintenance using a limited set of tools.

An Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) is currently in development for future F-35 Block 4 configurations, with projected improvements in thrust and fuel efficiency.