EAST HARTFORD, Conn., — March 31, 2026 : Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation, has been awarded a production contract valued at $6.6 billion to supply F135 engines for the F-35 Lightning II program. The agreement formalizes production for Lots 18 and 19, ensuring continuity in engine manufacturing and supply chain operations for U.S. military services and international operators.
Contract Scope and Structure
The total contract value includes a $3.8 billion modification issued by the U.S. government. This modification definitizes production activities for Lot 18 while also funding production planning and propulsion system support for Lot 19 aircraft.
The F135 engine remains the sole powerplant for all three variants of the F-35 — including the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL), carrier-based (CV), and short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) configurations.
Under the agreement, Pratt & Whitney will deliver a comprehensive package covering:
- Full-rate production engines
- Initial spare parts and critical modules
- Engineering resources and program oversight
- Dedicated production and sustainment support services
The contract also ensures continuity in tooling, manufacturing capacity, and supply chain operations, supporting uninterrupted production for both domestic and international customers.
Manufacturing Expansion and Output Growth
To meet rising global demand for the F-35 platform, Pratt & Whitney has invested more than $1 billion over the past five years to expand and modernize its production infrastructure. These investments have led to a 20 percent increase in F135 engine production rates compared to previous contract cycles.
Company officials indicated that the expanded capacity is enabling faster engine deliveries while strengthening long-term sustainment capabilities for the global F-35 fleet.
Jill Albertelli, President of Military Engines at Pratt & Whitney, stated that the F135 engine delivers high levels of thrust, operational reliability, and mission readiness for U.S. and allied forces. She added that ongoing investments across production facilities and supply chains are focused on accelerating engine delivery and supporting increasing international demand.
Global Program Reach and Economic Contribution
The F135 engine program continues to play a central role in multinational defense cooperation and industrial activity. Pratt & Whitney has delivered more than 1,400 production F135 engines to date.
The broader F-35 program currently supports operations across 20 allied nations, reflecting its expanding global footprint.
From an economic perspective, the F135 supply chain supports over 66,000 jobs across 47 U.S. states and territories. In 2025 alone, the program generated more than $9 billion in domestic economic output.
Corporate Context
RTX, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, reported annual sales exceeding $88 billion in 2025 and employs more than 180,000 personnel globally. The latest contract reinforces the company’s role in sustaining long-term production stability and meeting ongoing propulsion requirements for the F-35 program.
The award follows earlier undefinitized contract actions related to Lot 18 production and reflects continued demand for propulsion systems across U.S. and partner air forces.
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