The U.S. Air Force has awarded RTX subsidiary Pratt & Whitney a potential three-year, $1.5 billion contract to sustain F119 engines for the military branch’s F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft.
RTX said Thursday the engine sustainment contract will enhance readiness and reduce costs for more than 400 F199 engines that have logged over 900,000 flight hours.
“The F119’s readiness and reliability rates have never been more important, and we are improving both while lowering lifecycle costs,” said Jill Albertelli, president of military engines at Pratt & Whitney. “We are committed to helping our U.S. Air Force customer maintain the F-22’s combat edge.”
In 2017, Pratt & Whitney received a potential eight-year, $6.7 billion indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for F119 engine sustainment work.
Usage Based Lifing Program
Through the Usage Based Lifing program, Pratt & Whitney uses real-time data to improve maintenance efficiency, reduce costs and extend the life of F119 engines.
Under the program, the company improves the engine’s kinematic performance through an engine control schedule update.
Two F119 engines power each F-22 fighter jet, producing over 35,000 pounds of thrust and enabling altitudes above 65,000 feet. The engine also provides the F-22 with a supercruise capability, enabling the aircraft to fly at supersonic speeds without afterburners.
