United Technologies awarded $353.2M for F-35 services

Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, a division of United Technologies Corp., received a contract this week for performance based logistics and sustainment support of the F-135 propulsion system for the F-35 joint strike fighter aircraft.

The deal, announced Thursday by the Department of Defense, is worth more than $353.2 million under a fixed-price-incentive-firm, cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, which modifies a previous awarded undefinitized contract. The terms of the modified contract allow for United Technologies Corps. to be reimbursed for costs accumulated by the company from the original negotiated fee.

The F-35 is a 5th-generation multi-role stealth fighter that is being acquired by the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps to replace and supplement much of their air fleets. Partner nations such as Japan, Britain, Australia and others are also participating in the program.

Three different variants of the aircraft are being produced to meet the needs of each branch of the military, as well as foreign customers, and it is expected to enter full service and production over the next several years.

The modified contract is for performance based logistics sustainment support of the F-135 propulsion system, the engine powering the F-35. The contract provides for maintenance of support equipment, program activities, field service representatives and spares for both versions of the engine -- conventional take-off and landing/carrier variant, as well as short take-off and landing specific services.

Moreover, the deal provides for maintenance of support equipment and military services to include providing subject matter experts for field tests.

The majority of the work will occur in East Hartford, Conn., as well as several other locations in the United States and Camari, Italy, with work expected to be completed in November 2018.