Agreement reached on F-35 engines

• Tweet

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Defense and Pratt and Whitney have reached tentative agreement for low-rate production of engines for F-35 fighters.

The result of the agreement on main elements of the deal is an undefinitized production 5 contract, with fixed-price and cost-plus fee provisions, worth a maximum of about $1.12 billion for F135 engines.

"This UCA (undefinitized contract award) is a vital step to allow Pratt and Whitney and our STOVL lift system partner, Rolls-Royce, to continue meeting key milestones toward LRIP 5 production deliveries," said Bennett Croswell, president of Military Engines, Pratt and Whitney.

"We anticipate contract negotiations with the F-35 Joint Program Office that will reflect the great progress being made on F135 affordability."

Under the UCA, Pratt and Whitney will manufacture 21 engines for conventional takeoff and landing aircraft, six engines for the U.S. Navy carrier variant of the aircraft, and three engines for the U.S. Marines' short takeoff and landing variant.

Spare parts and engineering support for their fielding are included.

Engine deliveries will begin late this year, Pratt and Whitney said.