Air Force contracts for JT8D-219 engines

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., May 23 (UPI) -- Northrop Grumman has contracted a Pratt & Whitney and Seven Q Seven joint venture to support the U.S. Air Force with new propulsion technologies.

Under a $210 million contract, Pratt & Whitney will supply the U.S. Air Force's fleet of Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft with their commercial jet engine derivative JT8D-219 propulsion system. Seven Q Seven will supply the Joint STARS aircraft with their propulsion nacelle system.

The commercial version of the engine, the JT8D-200 series, is currently used for the Boeing 727 aircraft, among others. Officials say Pratt & Whitney's JT8D-219 configuration for the Joint STARS fleet will reduce fuel consumption with a 20-percent fuel burn improvement.

"The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman's selection of the JT8D-219 propulsion system demonstrates confidence in our product and our team," Brett Rhodes, Pratt & Whitney Military Engines domestic business development director, said in a statement.

"We look forward to providing them with more powerful, dependable engines."