RTX's Pratt & Whitney F135 engine surpasses 1 million flight hours

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Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, has announced a significant milestone as its F135 engine surpassed one million flight hours powering the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet. The engine, which has been powering every F-35 since its first flight in 2006, has established itself as the safest and most reliable fighter engine in its class.

The F135 consistently exceeds 94% full mission capability rate requirements and maintains an exceptional safety record that surpasses previous fighter engine generations. The engine's global sustainment network spans 36 bases, 12 ships, and multiple depot facilities internationally, supporting 20 allied nations.

With over 1,300 F135 production engines delivered to date, Pratt & Whitney is developing an Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) to enhance performance capabilities for meeting future threats. The F135's infrastructure supports Agile Combat Employment, enabling increased survivability and combat power generation through dispersed operations.

World's most advanced fighter engine continues to deliver on safety and readiness for global F-35 operators

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., March 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, announced today that the F135 engine has surpassed one million engine flight hours powering the F-35 Lightning II. In achieving this milestone, the F135 has established itself as the safest, most capable and reliable fighter engine, delivering superior performance and advanced low-observable technologies for the fifth-generation fighter

"The F135 engine plays a critical role in maintaining global air superiority for the U.S. and its allies, as it enables the F-35 mission in even the most contested environments," said Jill Albertelli, president of Military Engines at Pratt & Whitney. "The engine has powered every F-35 since the fighter's first flight in 2006, providing exceptional safety and readiness rates. Accomplishing this milestone in under two decades demonstrates how critical the F-35 remains and highlights Pratt & Whitney's commitment to our customer and the warfighter."

Pratt & Whitney's F135 engine delivers a generational leap in performance and reliability, giving warfighters the assurance that it will be ready to meet mission demands. It continuously exceeds full mission capability rate requirements of 94% and offers operators an exceptional, unmatched safety record. The F135's safety rate is more than an order of magnitude better than previous generations of fighter engines when compared across engine life cycles.

To help maintain mission readiness, the F135 sustainment network supports several global depot facilities, 36 bases, and 12 ships internationally. This positions the engine as a key enabler of Agile Combat Employment, a military operational concept that utilizes a network of smaller, dispersed locations to increase survivability while generating combat power. This concept requires continuous movement, logistics efficiencies, and specialized maintenance skills – all which Pratt & Whitney can accommodate by leveraging the F135's internationally dispersed infrastructure.

As the F-35 is modernized to include the new capabilities needed to defeat future threats, it will require more performance from the engine. Pratt & Whitney's Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) leverages learnings from advanced engine programs, builds upon the F135's track record of success, and offers the performance needed to stay ahead of adversaries.

To date, Pratt & Whitney has delivered more than 1,300 F135 production engines to a global enterprise that includes 20 allied nations around the world. Visit the Pratt & Whitney website to learn more. 

About Pratt & Whitney 
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. To learn more visit www.prattwhitney.com.

About RTX
With more than 185,000 global employees, RTX pushes the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2023 sales of $69 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact corporatepr@rtx.com.

 

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SOURCE RTX

FAQ

How many flight hours has RTX's F135 engine achieved on the F-35 Lightning II?

The F135 engine has surpassed one million flight hours powering the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet.

What is the mission capability rate of RTX's F135 engine?

The F135 engine consistently exceeds 94% full mission capability rate requirements.

How many F135 engines has RTX's Pratt & Whitney delivered globally?

Pratt & Whitney has delivered more than 1,300 F135 production engines to 20 allied nations worldwide.

What infrastructure supports RTX's F135 engine global operations?

The F135's sustainment network includes multiple depot facilities, 36 bases, and 12 ships internationally.

What upgrade is RTX developing for the F135 engine?

Pratt & Whitney is developing an Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) to enhance performance capabilities for meeting future threats.