Defense & Military
RTX Pratt Whitney Secures 2.8 Billion Contract for F135 Engine Production
RTX Pratt & Whitney wins $2.8B contract for F135 engines powering F-35 jets, supporting US jobs and allied defense through 2028.
RTX’s Pratt & Whitney Secures $2.8 Billion F135 Engine Production Contract: Strategic Implications for Defense Aviation and Industrial Base
RTX Corporation’s Pratt & Whitney division has secured a pivotal $2.8 billion contract for F135 engine production, representing far more than a routine defense procurement. This undefinitized contract action for Lot 18 of the F135 engines underscores the critical role of advanced propulsion systems in maintaining global air superiority while highlighting the complex interplay between defense technology, international partnerships, and economic policy. The award reinforces RTX’s monopolistic position in powering the world’s most advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft and demonstrates the continuing evolution of defense industrial cooperation in an era of heightened geopolitical tensions.
The F135 engine program is central to the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, the largest and most technologically advanced fighter program in history. As nations worldwide seek to modernize their Air-Forces and maintain technological parity with potential adversaries, the F135 contract serves as an anchor for allied interoperability, industrial base stability, and continued innovation in military aviation. Understanding the scope and implications of this Contracts provides insight into broader trends shaping the future of defense and aerospace.
Historical Development and Program Genesis
The F135 engine program emerged from one of the most ambitious defense procurement initiatives in modern military history. The Joint Strike Fighter program, initiated in the 1990s and culminating in 2001 with Lockheed Martin’s contract award, aimed to create a common airframe and Propulsion platform for multiple military branches and international partners, with the F135 engine as the exclusive powerplant for all three F-35 variants.
Pratt & Whitney delivered the first production F135 engine in 2009, building upon the technological foundation of the F119 engine used in the F-22 Raptor. The F135 produces approximately 28,000 pounds of thrust in military power and 43,000 pounds with afterburner, making it the most powerful fighter engine ever produced. Its design incorporates significant innovations to meet the unique requirements of the F-35’s tri-variant structure.
International collaboration has been fundamental to the F-35 and F135 programs. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was conceived as a coalition platform, integrating expertise from multiple countries to ensure operational effectiveness across diverse military environments. This global enterprise now spans 20 allied nations, making it a leading example of multinational defense cooperation.
“The F135 engine’s role in the F-35 enterprise extends beyond propulsion, serving as a technological bridge that enhances interoperability among allied forces and strengthens transatlantic security relationships.”
Market Competition and Monopoly Dynamics
Initially, the F135 faced competition from the General Electric and Rolls-Royce F136 engine. The Pentagon’s termination of the F136 program in 2011, citing budgetary constraints, left Pratt & Whitney as the sole supplier for F-35 propulsion systems. This decision created a monopoly situation with implications for cost control and supplier leverage.
The lack of a competitive alternative has led to ongoing debates about cost and innovation. While some argue that competition drives down prices and encourages technological advancement, others maintain that a single supplier streamlines logistics and reduces integration risks.
Despite monopoly concerns, the F135’s performance and reliability have remained central to the F-35’s operational success. Ongoing investments in upgrades and sustainment aim to address evolving requirements and mitigate risks associated with sole-source supply.
Contract Specifications and Strategic Scope
The $2.8 billion undefinitized contract action awarded to Pratt & Whitney covers the production of F135 engines for all three F-35 variants: the F-35A (conventional take-off and landing), F-35B (short take-off and vertical landing), and F-35C (carrier-based). The contract extends through February 2028 and is designed to maintain production momentum while negotiations on final terms continue.
Funding for the contract reflects the multinational nature of the F-35 program. The U.S. Navy and Air Force contribute significant portions, while international partners and foreign military customers also provide substantial funding. This arrangement highlights the shared costs and benefits distributed among participating nations.
Beyond engine production, the contract includes spare engines, replacement modules, engineering support, tooling, and production assistance. These elements are essential for maintaining operational readiness across a global fleet and reflect the complexity of modern defense procurement.
“The F135 contract’s undefinitized status allows production to begin while detailed negotiations continue, ensuring delivery schedules remain on track despite the complexity of multi-billion-dollar defense procurements.”
Economic Impact and Industrial Base Considerations
The F135 program is a major contributor to the U.S. defense industrial base, supporting more than 67,000 domestic jobs across 43 states. This includes direct manufacturing roles as well as a broad ecosystem of engineers, technicians, and support personnel.
Over 240 U.S. suppliers participate in the F135 supply chain, creating a distributed Manufacturing base and maintaining critical technical expertise. The program’s economic impact extends beyond direct spending to include indirect activity generated through supplier relationships and employee spending.
The F135 program contributed more than $9.1 billion to the U.S. economy in 2024. International manufacturing, involving partners in Canada, Poland, and other countries, further diversifies the supply chain and spreads economic benefits among allied nations.
Technological Evolution and Performance Capabilities
The F135 engine incorporates fifth-generation capabilities, including more than 40,000 pounds of thrust and advanced thermal management to support the F-35’s electronic systems. Integrated engine control systems enable seamless performance across the flight envelope, while prognostic health monitoring provides real-time assessment and predictive maintenance.
Approximately 95% commonality in core components across all F-35 variants simplifies maintenance, training, and logistics, reducing lifecycle costs and enhancing operational flexibility. Damage tolerance design principles and redundant systems increase survivability in contested environments.
Recent upgrades focus on durability, power, and cooling capacity to support future F-35 capabilities. The Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) program, awarded in September 2024, aims to enhance performance and sustainment while leveraging advancements from Navy and Air Force research initiatives.
“With more than 1,300 F135 engines delivered and over 900,000 engine flight hours recorded, the program’s installed base creates ongoing opportunities for sustainment and upgrades.”
International Partnership Dynamics and Strategic Implications
Twenty allied nations currently operate or plan to operate F-35 aircraft powered by F135 engines. The program’s industrial participation model allows international partners to contribute to component production, assembly, and maintenance, spreading economic benefits and creating shared stakes in success.
Recent developments include Poland’s entry into the F-35 program and Norway’s completion of its 52-aircraft program of record. Geopolitical factors, such as increased security concerns in Eastern Europe and the Indo-Pacific, are driving demand for F-35 and F135 capabilities.
Technology transfer and security considerations are carefully managed to protect sensitive technologies while enabling meaningful international cooperation. These arrangements add complexity but are essential for maintaining alliance solidarity and operational effectiveness.
Challenges, Risks, and Future Outlook
The F135 program faces challenges including cost overruns, schedule delays, and technical issues. Total lifetime costs for the F-35 program now exceed $2 trillion, reflecting both inflation and expanded scope. Technical challenges, such as higher-than-expected operating temperatures, have prompted ongoing investments in improved materials and durability.
Engine upgrade programs, such as the ECU, have experienced delays and cost increases due to integration complexity and evolving requirements. Supply chain disruptions, workforce shortages, and international dependencies add further risks to program sustainability.
Looking ahead, the F135’s technological trajectory includes continued enhancements in power, efficiency, and digital integration. Advanced manufacturing techniques and predictive maintenance technologies are expected to further improve performance and cost-effectiveness. Integration with future sixth-generation fighter programs and environmental considerations will shape long-term development.
“The F135 engine will remain a critical component of air superiority capabilities that underpin both American security and allied cooperation in an uncertain world.”
Strategic Industry Analysis and Market Position
RTX’s monopoly position in F135 production provides market stability and pricing leverage but also creates responsibilities for capacity and innovation. The company’s strong financial performance, with significant sales and backlog, reflects the value of established defense programs like the F135.
Competitive threats remain limited in the near term due to high entry barriers and customer switching costs. However, alternative engine developments, such as General Electric’s XA100 adaptive engine, could present future competition if integration challenges are overcome.
The F135 program’s success depends on balancing technological advancement, cost control, and international cooperation. Sustained investment in research and development will be crucial for maintaining leadership in advanced fighter propulsion.
Conclusion and Strategic Implications
The $2.8 billion F135 engine production contract awarded to RTX’s Pratt & Whitney division represents a strategic intersection of technological advancement, international cooperation, and economic policy. It ensures continuity of production for the world’s most advanced fighter engine and sustains a critical element of the defense industrial base, supporting both national security and significant economic activity.
As global security challenges evolve, the F135 program’s continued success will depend on maintaining the balance between innovation, cost control, and alliance cooperation. The recent contract award demonstrates a commitment to these objectives, providing the resources necessary to sustain production and development into the next decade.
FAQ
What is the F135 engine?
The F135 is an advanced turbofan engine developed by Pratt & Whitney, serving as the exclusive powerplant for all variants of the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft.
What is the value and scope of the recent F135 contract?
The contract is valued at $2.8 billion and covers the production of engines for all F-35 variants, as well as spares, replacement modules, and engineering support, with completion expected by February 2028.
Which countries are involved in the F135 and F-35 programs?
Twenty allied nations participate in the F-35 program, with the F135 engine powering their fleets. International partners contribute to funding, manufacturing, and sustainment.
What are the main challenges facing the F135 program?
Challenges include cost growth, technical issues, supply chain risks, and maintaining workforce expertise. Ongoing upgrades and investments aim to address these challenges.
How does the F135 contract impact the U.S. economy?
The program supports over 67,000 jobs in 43 states and contributed more than $9.1 billion to the U.S. economy in 2024.
Sources: RTX News Center
Photo Credit: RTX
Defense & Military
Hermeus Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 Achieves Mach 1.21 Supersonic Flight
Hermeus reached Mach 1.21 with the Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 on May 26, 2026, backed by a $219M DIU contract.
Hermeus achieved its first uncrewed supersonic flight on May 26, 2026, when the Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 reached Mach 1.21 over the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The flight testing was conducted from Spaceport America.
The milestone flight, detailed in a series of company press releases, coincided with a $159 million contracts modification from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) announced on May 28, 2026. The expanded agreement raises the total contract ceiling to $219 million, funding further high-Mach flight and high-speed payload release demonstrations for the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and U.S. Navy (USN).
Supersonic flight and rapid prototyping
The Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 reached supersonic speeds on its third test flight. The event occurred exactly 364 days after the maiden flight of the company’s first aircraft, the Mk 1. Hermeus is utilizing a rapid iteration strategy, with the Mk 2.1 serving as the first of three planned F-16-scale supersonic uncrewed aircraft. Subsequent variants, designated Mk 2.2 and Mk 2.3, are slated for future testing.
The Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 is powered by a Pratt & Whitney F100 engine. Former Chief Executive Officer AJ Piplica stated that the U.S. Department of Defense is closely monitoring the program’s speed and development timeline.
“This flight demonstrates a pace of execution that is extremely rare in modern aviation,” Piplica said. “This program is about moving high-Mach capability out of the lab and into an operationally relevant environment. By delivering flight-ready aircraft and demonstrating payload release at speed, we will prove this technology can create a decisive military advantage on a timeline that matters.”
Defense Innovation Unit contract expansion
The financial backing from the DIU underscores growing military interest in operationalizing hypersonic and high-Mach technologies. The $159 million modification secures funding for flight tests scheduled throughout 2026 and 2027.
Major General Joe “Solo” Kunkel, Military Deputy for the DIU, emphasized the strategic necessity of the technology for future military operations.
“As you look towards the future, and the military problems we’re facing, the issues are generally around time and distance, and how do you get to these far-off places at a timeframe that matters,” Kunkel said. “I care about the warfighting capability, providing advantage to our partners and us in the fight, and making sure that we can walk into every fight with swagger.”
Executive leadership transition
To manage the transition from prototyping to scaled operations, Hermeus restructured its executive team in mid-2026. Zach Shore assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer on June 1, 2026, succeeding co-founder AJ Piplica, who transitioned to Executive Chairman. The company subsequently appointed Sameer Rao as Chief Financial Officer on July 22, 2026.
Shore noted that the company is managing more parallel lines of effort than at any previous point in its history. He stated his focus remains on delivering capabilities to the military by executing flight campaigns and scaling the business effectively. The leadership changes follow a $350 million Series C funding round, bringing the total private capital raised by Hermeus to more than $500 million.
AirPro News analysis
The 364-day turnaround between the maiden flight of the Quarterhorse Mk 1 and the supersonic flight of the Mk 2.1 validates the hardware-rich, rapid-iteration approach Hermeus has championed. We view the $159 million DIU contract modification as a strong signal that the U.S. Department of Defense is willing to bypass traditional, decades-long procurement cycles in favor of venture-backed aerospace models. By utilizing proven propulsion systems like the Pratt & Whitney F100 engine in uncrewed, scalable airframes, Hermeus reduces developmental risk while accelerating the timeline for fielding high-speed payload delivery systems.
Sources: Hermeus
Photo Credit: Hermeus
Defense & Military
A-10C Thunderbolt II Final Flight at Davis-Monthan AFB
The U.S. Air Force completed the A-10C Warthog’s final flight at Davis-Monthan AFB on July 29, 2026.
The United States Air-Forces completed the final flight of the A-10C Thunderbolt II at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on July 29, 2026, closing a nearly 50-year chapter of close air support operations and training at the Arizona installation. The departure marks a definitive step in the military branch’s broader divestment strategy for the aging attack aircraft, shifting resources toward newer platforms.
Announced in a July 31, 2026, press release by the 355th Wing Public Affairs office, the final flight was conducted by the 357th Fighter Squadron. Davis-Monthan has historically served as the primary training hub for A-10 pilots and a central base for the aircraft’s operational deployment.
End of an era at Davis-Monthan
The A-10C Thunderbolt II, colloquially known as the Warthog, has been a fixture on the ramp at Davis-Monthan for five decades. The 355th Operations Group and the 357th Fighter Squadron oversaw the final departure, which involved a ceremonial “fini flight” to mark the end of the airframe’s tenure at the base.
Leadership at the installation acknowledged the historical weight of the transition. Lt. Col. Rodney Dwyer, commander of the 355th Operations Group, noted the visual impact of the divestment on the facility.
“We’ve always had A-10s on the ramp; for the last 50 years they’ve been on the ramp. To see the sunshades get torn down, to see the jets divest, fewer and fewer A-10s out there … it’s definitely bittersweet,” Dwyer stated in the release.
Chief Master Sgt. Dave Anderson Jr., the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 355th Operations Group, emphasized the cultural legacy the aircraft leaves behind for the maintenance and support personnel who sustained it. He described the A-10 community as a mindset rather than just a collection of people or equipment, expressing hope that the attack aviation culture would continue to influence other airframes and organizations within the Air Force.
Infrastructure and training closures
The final flight follows a series of structural shutdowns for the A-10 program across the Air Force. The infrastructure supporting the aircraft has been systematically deactivated over the past year.
On April 3, 2026, the 357th Fighter Squadron graduated its final class of A-10 student pilots at Davis-Monthan, effectively closing the Training pipeline for new aviators on the platform. The base subsequently hosted its final public A-10 Range Day at the Barry M. Goldwater Range on June 24 and 25, 2026.
Prior to the training pipeline closure, the Air Force officially concluded A-10 depot-level maintenance in February 2026. This milestone was marked by the deactivation of the 571st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, signaling the end of major structural overhauls and long-term sustainment for the fleet.
Legislative friction over divestment
The Air Force has actively pursued the retirement of the A-10 fleet to reallocate funding and personnel toward modernization efforts, specifically the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II program. However, the divestment strategy has faced consistent resistance from lawmakers.
According to reporting by Military.com, Congress has repeatedly intervened to slow the retirement of the close air support aircraft. The fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) included provisions extending the A-10’s service life to 2030. The legislation also barred the Air Force from reducing the active fleet below 103 aircraft through September 2026.
AirPro News analysis
We observe a stark disconnect between legislative mandates and operational reality regarding the A-10C Thunderbolt II. While Congress has legally extended the aircraft’s service life to 2030, the Air Force has effectively dismantled the foundational infrastructure required to sustain the fleet.
By closing the pilot training pipeline at Davis-Monthan and terminating depot-level maintenance at Hill Air Force Base, the military has created a scenario where the remaining airframes will become increasingly difficult to operate and maintain. Without a steady influx of new pilots and the capacity for heavy maintenance, the statutory minimum of 103 aircraft becomes a paper metric rather than a measure of combat readiness. The final flight at Davis-Monthan signals that the operational end of the A-10 is proceeding on the ground, regardless of the ongoing debates in Washington.
Sources: U.S. Air Force
Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force
Defense & Military
Pratt & Whitney Wins $1.3B F135 Spare Parts Contract
Pratt & Whitney secures a nearly $1.3B IDIQ contract for F135 engine spare parts supporting the global F-35 fleet in FY2026.
Pratt & Whitney has secured a nearly $1.3 billion undefinitized contracts to supply F135 engine spare parts for the global F-35 Lightning II fleet during fiscal year 2026.
Announced in a July 31, 2026, press release by parent company RTX Corporation, the Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) award funds initial spare parts, deployable spare packages, depot lay-ins, and associated support equipment across all three variants of the combat Military-Aircraft.
Global sustainment and fleet readiness
The F135 sustainment enterprise currently supports operations at 42 bases and 13 ships worldwide. With more than 1,500 production engines delivered to date, the propulsion system is operated by 20 allied nations.
“Ensuring the F135 remains mission-ready is critical to the success of the F-35 enterprise,” stated Chris Johnson, Vice President of Pratt & Whitney’s F135 Program. “This contract will help strengthen our global sustainment network to ensure operators around the world can continue to rely on the F135’s unmatched performance.”
Modernization and contracting context
Pratt & Whitney plans to leverage this established sustainment network to deploy the F135 Engine Core Upgrade (ECU). The ECU has been selected as the Propulsion modernization solution for the F-35, designed to enhance fleet readiness and provide long-term capability.
While the RTX announcement did not explicitly name the awarding agency, defense contracting for the F135 propulsion system is primarily managed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), according to reporting by Dow Jones Newswires.
AirPro News analysis
We note that undefinitized contracts allow contractors to begin work before all terms and prices are finalized, a mechanism often utilized by the DoD to prevent delays in critical supply chains. Securing spare parts funding for fiscal year 2026 ensures that the expanding global footprint of the F-35 will not outpace the logistical support required to keep the aircraft operational. As the F135 Engine Core Upgrade transitions from development to deployment, maintaining a robust baseline sustainment network will be essential for integrating the modernized components across international operators.
Sources: RTX
Photo Credit: RTX
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