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Pratt & Whitney Ready to Support JSF Flight Tests

March 6, 2000 — Pratt & Whitney Military Engines today delivered the JSF119-614 flight test engine that will be used in the Boeing X-32 JSF CTOL Flight Test Program. Meanwhile, its counterpart engine—the JSF119-611 that powers the Lockheed Martin X-35 JSF – has also been delivered and is ready to go.

"With the delivery of both of these flight-test engines we are ready to support the JSF CTOL flight test program," said Pratt & Whitney F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program Director Bob Cea. "We are excited about the upcoming flight test programs and confident that both these derivatives of our F119 engine will perform exceedingly well. We remain fully committed to supporting both Boeing and Lockheed Martin flight test programs."

TREMENDOUS CHALLENGES MET

Cea explained that the Pratt JSF119 engine teams supporting both weapon system contractors have successfully addressed aggressive technical and schedule requirements. Pratt established an industry standard when it brought four JSF119 variant engines to test – two CTOL versions and two STOVL version engines for both the X-32 and X-35 – within 23 months of receiving a contract for the program, and delivered flight hardware within 36 months.

"We've benefited a great deal from the substantial experience gained on the F119 engine for the F/A-22 Program. Using the proven F119 as a base to work from, our very talented employees went forward with a great deal of intensity and focus," said Cea. "It took a special group of people applying that experience to address the scope and the depth of this program while meeting a very tight schedule – the accomplishments of these teams speak for themselves."

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

In addition to using the core and other proven features of the F119 engine, which has been performing flawlessly in F/A-22 flight test, the Pratt & Whitney team is capitalizing on technology being developed and confirmed in the advanced programs area. These programs include CEASAR (Component and Engine Structural Assessment Research) Program, which is supported by Pratt and U.S. Air Force-Wright Laboratories, as well as from the more encompassing DoD/NASA/industry Integrated High Performance Turbine Engine Technology (IHPTET) Program.

CEASAR and IHPTET were used to successfully demonstrate the use of advanced technologies in worst-case operational environments, thus allowing their successful, low-risk transition directly into the JSF119 engines.

"There are three pillars of strength for the JSF119 engines: our world-class employees, our F119 engine commonality and our advanced technology," commented P&W Military Engines President Steve Finger. "We are uniquely positioned to support this complex and very important program."

DELIVERY SCHEDULES

The delivery of these flight-test engines, complete with CTOL software, to Boeing and Lockheed Martin meets their first-flight plans. Late last year, Pratt & Whitney sent another flight test engine to Boeing to support system checks with their new airframe. JSF119-611 was also delivered to Lockheed Martin late last year, to accomplish pre-flight testing and system check-outs.

The JSF engines fit perfectly into the CTOL versions of both aircraft, which Cea says, "demonstrates the close working relationship that Pratt has maintained with each weapon systems contractor."

Pratt & Whitney is also preparing to support flight tests of the STOVL JSF airplane, stated Cea. He notes development of Pratt & Whitney hardware and software components of the STOVL system are nearing completion.

AN INTERNATIONAL EFFORT

Like the entire JSF Program, the JSF119 is becoming a truly international effort. Pratt & Whitney Military Engines has signed Memoranda of Agreement with Rolls-Royce plc under which the parties intend to negotiate a contract for RR to supply the STOVL lift system for the JSF119 EMD propulsion system for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program.

Pratt also has agreements with agencies and companies in other European countries. "This will be a truly international engine in an international aircraft," commented Cea.

Pratt & Whitney's Military Engines unit, located in West Palm Beach, Fl., and East Hartford, Ct., designs, develops, tests and supports military jet engines. Pratt & Whitney is a part of United Technologies Corporation of Hartford, Ct.

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