East Hartford-based jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney has won a $1.5 billion, three-year contract to maintain and improve the F119 engines that power F-22 fighter jets used by the U.S. Air Force.
Pratt & Whitney, part of RTX Corp., has been developing upgrades to the F119 engine, which use real-time data to enhance maintenance efficiency and extend engine life, while also improving performance, according to an announcement from RTX.
The contract will “improve readiness and reduce costs” for the Air Force’s fleet of more than 400 F119 engines, which have already flown for more than 900,000 hours, the announcement states.
“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.”
The F119 engines are unique because they can fly at altitudes above 65,000 feet and maintain supersonic speeds without afterburners, according to RTX.
Pratt & Whitney secured a similar contract to sustain F119 jet engines for $6.7 billion in 2017.
