East Hartford aerospace manufacturer honored the U.S. Marine Corp. Fighter Attack Squadron 121 on Tuesday in Arizona for being the world’s first operational squadron to fly the F-35B Lightning II aircraft.
Pratt, a subsidiary of Hartford conglomerate United Technologies Corp. makes the engines for the Lightning II that allow pilots the option of making vertical lands and takeoffs. The fighter is expected to become the primary fighter for the Marines, replaces aircraft such as the F/A-18 Hornet, AV-8B Harrier, and the EA-6B Prowler.
Pratt has developed three versions of its F135 engines for the U.S. military branches and their allies around the world. The three versions allow for either conventional takeoffs and landings, specialized systems for carrier landings, or short takeoffs and vertical landings.
While the Marines are the first operational squadron, Pratt has tested the engines in the field with military pilots, producing 358 vertical landings, 2,623 test flights, and 4,055 flight hours.
