Pratt & Whitney has reached a handshake agreement for the fourth batch of low-rate-production F-135 engines for the F-35 at a price 16 percent below from the previous lot, the company's military engines chief, Warren Boley, said Feb. 10.
The order is for 37 units.
Eventually, Boley said, the company hopes to reduce the engine's price tag to around $10 million each. At that price, the engine would cost the same as the F-22's F119 engine despite being 1,500 lbs heavier and delivering 20 percent more thrust.
Further, Boley said, all three versions of the engine have received their Initial Service Release, which certifies that development is complete. The engine has been showing a reliability of 99 percent.
The F-35B vertical-landing variant's entire lift propulsion system, including its lift-fan and roll-posts, has demonstrated a "mission readiness" of 98 percent, he said.
Comparatively, the fully operational F119, which is known for its reliability, has a mission readiness rate of 98.5 percent.
The earlier issues with engine "screech" have been solved, Boley said. Screech kits are being installed on the first 12 engines while the subsequent units will have the modifications incorporated in the production line.
Pratt & Whitney is still working to improve the F135's reliability. For example, improvements to the vertical-landing variant's propulsion system are to be incorporated into the sixth and seventh production batches.
Any retrofits for older aircraft would be performed in depot as the changes are very minor, Boley said.
The engine has a thrust margin that can accommodate weight growth, Boley said. Even the F-35B's lift-fan has a 1 percent thrust margin.
The company's role in the flight test program is being extended by three years, he said, to support an expanded flight test program that now includes 7,000 flights, up from about 5,000 flights. The total value of the company's extended involvement might amount to a $1 billion.
In 2011, the flight test program will fly 872 sorties, Boley said.
Pratt & Whitney's military engines chief Warren Boley announced the firm will produce 37 units of F-135 engines for the F-35 for 16 percent less than the previous lot. (Darin Russell / Lockheed Martin)
Eventually, Boley said, the company hopes to reduce the engine's price tag to around $10 million each. At that price, the engine would cost the same as the F-22's F119 engine despite being 1,500 lbs heavier and delivering 20 percent more thrust.
Further, Boley said, all three versions of the engine have received their Initial Service Release, which certifies that development is complete. The engine has been showing a reliability of 99 percent.
The F-35B vertical-landing variant's entire lift propulsion system, including its lift-fan and roll-posts, has demonstrated a "mission readiness" of 98 percent, he said.
Comparatively, the fully operational F119, which is known for its reliability, has a mission readiness rate of 98.5 percent.
The earlier issues with engine "screech" have been solved, Boley said. Screech kits are being installed on the first 12 engines while the subsequent units will have the modifications incorporated in the production line.
Pratt & Whitney is still working to improve the F135's reliability. For example, improvements to the vertical-landing variant's propulsion system are to be incorporated into the sixth and seventh production batches.
Any retrofits for older aircraft would be performed in depot as the changes are very minor, Boley said.
The engine has a thrust margin that can accommodate weight growth, Boley said. Even the F-35B's lift-fan has a 1 percent thrust margin.
The company's role in the flight test program is being extended by three years, he said, to support an expanded flight test program that now includes 7,000 flights, up from about 5,000 flights. The total value of the company's extended involvement might amount to a $1 billion.
In 2011, the flight test program will fly 872 sorties, Boley said.
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