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

Saskatoon-based Rise Air has expanded its regional fleet with an order for a fourth new ATR 72-600, leased through Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), to support workforce transportation and community connectivity in northern Canada.

Announced in a press release on July 27, 2026, the acquisition continues a major capital investment for the 100% Indigenous-owned airline. Rise Air President and Chief Executive Officer Derek Nice noted that the order “builds on a fleet renewal program that has included more than $160 million in fleet modernization over the past four years.” The 68-seat turboprop is scheduled for delivery in late 2026, with entry into commercial service expected in early 2027.

Fleet modernization and operational performance

Rise Air became the Canadian launch customer for the ATR 72-600 following a three-aircraft agreement signed in November 2024. Transport Canada (TC) certified the aircraft type for Canadian operations in November 2025, and the carrier’s first three aircraft entered service in early 2026. The aircraft are equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127XT engines and are specifically utilized for their gravel-runway capabilities and extreme cold-weather performance.

According to the airline, the initial fleet integration has been successful across its northern Saskatchewan network. Nice stated that the first three aircraft met the company’s expectations for performance, passenger experience, and manufacturer support during their first months of operation.

“Adding a fourth aircraft gives our existing and future customers additional capacity and will lead to additional highly skilled jobs for pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, flight operations teams and other employees across our bases,” Nice said.

Growing ATR presence in the Canadian market

The ATR 72-600 is increasingly being adopted for remote and specialized operations within Canada. Beyond Rise Air’s passenger and workforce transport network, other operators are selecting the type for similar demanding environments. In early 2025, Hydro-Québec placed an order for the ATR 72-600 to replace older turboprop aircraft used for employee transportation.

The manufacturer notes that the ATR 72-600 offers a 45% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to similar-sized regional jets. This efficiency, combined with the ability to operate from unpaved surfaces, positions the aircraft as a practical replacement for aging regional fleets operating in Canada’s northern territories.

AirPro News analysis

We view Rise Air’s rapid follow-on order as a strong validation of the ATR 72-600’s utility in the Canadian north. Operating from gravel strips in extreme cold requires specific performance characteristics that few modern, in-production aircraft can provide. The involvement of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise also indicates growing lessor confidence in placing new-build turboprops with specialized regional operators. As older aircraft types age out of the Canadian market, the ATR 72-600 is establishing a solid foothold for essential remote connectivity.

Sources: Rise Air

The Boeing Company has selected Liebherr-Aerospace to supply the brake remote electronic unit for the in-development Boeing 777-8 Freighter. The Contracts, announced on July 31, 2026, expands the German manufacturer’s footprint of electronic components on Boeing Commercial-Aircraft.

The brake remote electronic unit (REU) functions as a data concentrator for the aircraft braking system. According to a press release issued by Liebherr, the system supports active brake monitoring and ensures compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Regulations regarding latent failure detection. Each Boeing 777-8 Freighter will be equipped with one brake REU.

Manufacturing and development footprint

The units will be developed and manufactured by Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH at its facility in Lindenberg, Germany. The company is executing the project in cooperation with CUONICS GmbH, an aviation electronics specialist based in Straubing, Germany.

Liebherr-Aerospace began development work on its remote electronic unit concept in 2018. The Boeing 777-8 Freighter contract marks the second type of REU the company will supply to Boeing. In January 2019, Boeing selected Liebherr to deliver the nose wheel steering REU for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner family.

Dr. Klaus Schneider, Chief Technology Officer at Liebherr-Aerospace & Transportation SAS, highlighted the long-term relationship between the two companies.

“We have worked in close collaboration with our customer over the past decade. To be on board Boeing commercial airplanes with our electronic products is an important milestone for Liebherr,” Schneider stated.

Expanding presence on Boeing platforms

Beyond the newly announced brake REU and the Boeing 787 nose wheel steering unit, Liebherr already supplies the main gear steering control unit for the current Boeing 777 program.

The Boeing 777-8 Freighter is the dedicated cargo variant of the Boeing 777X family. The aircraft is designed to replace older large-capacity freighters with improved fuel efficiency and lower operating costs.

AirPro News analysis

We view Liebherr’s expanding portfolio on Boeing aircraft as a clear indicator of the manufacturer’s successful transition from traditional hydro-mechanical systems to integrated electronic control architectures. Securing the brake REU contract for the Boeing 777-8 Freighter validates the strategic investment Liebherr made in 2018 when it launched its remote electronic unit concept. As aircraft systems become increasingly electrified and data-dependent, suppliers that can deliver compliant, localized data concentrators like the REU are well-positioned to capture market share on next-generation airframes.

Sources: Liebherr