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X-35B STVOL Engine Completes Critical Test

Contact:
Pratt & Whitney Public Relations
(860)-565-9600

WEST PALM BEACH, FL, April 9, 2001 -- Pratt & Whitney has completed Accelerated Mission Testing (AMT) of the Lockheed Martin X-35B aircraft's Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL) JSF119-611 propulsion system, clearing the way for full STOVL flight clearance.

The propulsion system test, completed a month ahead of schedule at the company's West Palm Beach, FL engine test facility, simulated more than twice the anticipated mission usage of the planned X-35B flight test program.

The engine and vertical lift system performed a total of 132 simulated missions that included 118 hours of STOVL operation and 174 dynamic STOVL mode conversions. In completing over 250 total accumulated cycles, with over 750 cycles on the engine alone, the system demonstrated excellent reliability for upcoming flight tests.

"We demonstrated that this concept could meet or exceed all of its performance requirements some time ago", said Bob Cea, Pratt & Whitney Vice President of JSF Programs. "This endurance test showed the STOVL propulsion system's reliability and durability can be just as flawless as we saw during the conventional and carrier variants' development and flight test programs," said Cea. "Accomplishing this in record time is a tribute to the great teamwork of Lockheed Martin, Rolls Royce, and Pratt & Whitney", added Walt Sirmans, P&W's Program Manager for Lockheed Martin's JSF119-611. Lockheed Martin is competing with Boeing for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft contract to be awarded later this year. The STOVL aircraft is the second configuration to be tested as part of the Concept Demonstrator Aircraft (CDA) program. Both companies have successfully completed their Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL)/ Carrier Variant (CV) flight test demonstration programs. Now, P&W has completed endurance testing of both companies' STOVL propulsion systems. The STOVL configuration aircraft is being developed to replace the A/V-8B Harrier aircraft and will provide the United States Marines and our allies improved capabilities, including supersonic performance, stealth, and unparalleled mission readiness never before seen in STOVL systems.

Both Lockheed Martin and Boeing selected Pratt & Whitney's JSF119 engine as the primary propulsion system for all aircraft variants. The JSF119 engine designs are derivatives of the highly successful F22 Raptor's F119-PW-100 engine. The STOVL and CTOL/CV configuration engines are nearly identical, significantly reducing cost.

Following completion of post-test performance evaluations, the engine will be shipped to Pratt & Whitney's Middletown, Connecticut facility and the lift fan to Rolls Royce facility in Indianapolis for disassembly and analytical condition inspection in preparation for flight clearance later this month.

Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies company is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines.

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