F-35 Block Four testing includes two types of F135 engine
Pratt & Whitney to make STOVL and conventional engines.
Raytheon Technologies company Pratt & Whitney was awarded a contract on 5 February to produce F135 engines for three F-35 Lightning II Block Four developmental testing aircraft.
One of these engines will be a conventional take-off and landing variant for the F-35A and F-35C; the other two will be two-cycle engines (each with a forward lift fan) for the F-35B STOVL aircraft.
Work on the $49.19 million contract modification from US Naval Air Systems Command will be completed by January 2023.
The developmental test programme for the F-35 Lightning II Block Four (the most advanced standard) will support the USAF, USN, USMC and non-DoD participants.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![EuroDASS partners unveil details on next-gen EW system for Eurofighter Typhoon]()
EuroDASS partners unveil details on next-gen EW system for Eurofighter Typhoon
The consortium has given details on the next-generation of sensing and jamming capabilities on the Eurofighter Typhoon without needing to update the airframe, according to the group’s partners.
-
![Romania signs $7.2 billion deal to buy 32 F-35A jets]()
Romania signs $7.2 billion deal to buy 32 F-35A jets
The Romanian government has formalised a deal to purchase 32 F-35A aircraft from the US. The jets will not be expected to be operational in Romania until 2030.
-
![US Air Force A-10s to exit South Korea in favour of fourth- and fifth-gen fighter jets]()
US Air Force A-10s to exit South Korea in favour of fourth- and fifth-gen fighter jets
The US Air Force will transition away from its ageing A-10 aircraft in 2025, in favour of updating and enhancing its F-16, and introducing F-15EX and F-35 Lightning II jets in the region.
