Pratt & Whitney delivers F-35 engine

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EAST HARTFORD, Conn., May 9 (UPI) -- Pratt and Whitney of Connecticut has delivered the first F135 engine for low-rate initial production 3 for the F-35 Lightning II program.

The F135 engines in LRIP 3 meet established affordability targets and include engine modifications and improvements based on findings from the F-35 flight test program.

"Delivery of our 21st production engine is a significant milestone for the F-35 program as we continue to deliver a more mature and capable F135 engine to meet the evolving needs of the war fighter," said Bennett Croswell, vice president, F135/F119 Engine Programs. "In doing so, we continue reducing costs to produce a more affordable and reliable product for our customers."

As part of LRIP 3, Pratt and Whitney will start delivery of F135 engines to all three branches of the U.S. armed forces, as well as F-35 partner countries the United Kingdom and The Netherlands.

Pratt and Whitney has delivered all 20 of the F135 engines in LRIP 1 and 2.

The F135 is the only engine powering the F-35 test program with more than 88 flawless vertical landings, 845 flight tests and 1,200 flight hours.