Defense Dept. order more engines for F-35s

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., July 23 (UPI) -- Pratt & Whitney has been contracted by the U.S. Defense Department to produce additional engine technologies to support the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft.

U.S. company Pratt & Whitney was awarded a low-rate initial production contract by the Defense Department to produce its F135 engines. Under the $571 million production deal, Pratt & Whitney will deliver 10 of its F135 turbofan engine system for use in the F-35 conventional take-off and landing variant.

Officials say the contract also includes the production of 11 engines for the short-takeoff/vertical-landing variant of the F-35.

"Pratt & Whitney is proud to be producing operational F135 engines scheduled for delivery later this year," Warren Boley, Pratt & Whitney F135 programs vice president, said in a statement.

"These contracts demonstrate the maturity of the F135 engine program, which has completed more than 100 successful test flights and hover pit testing, meeting the demanding short-takeoff/vertical-landing vertical thrust requirements."

Pratt & Whitney announced it has also been awarded a $113 million contract to procure long lead materials for an additional 32 of its F135 engines.