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Polish-Assembled F100 Engine Powers Ceremonial Flight of Polish Air Force's New F-16 Aircraft

Contact:
Heather Summerer
(860) 565-0557
heather.summerer@pw.utc.com

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 28, 2006 - The first F100-PW-229 engine manufactured at the Pratt & Whitney WSK PZL-Rzeszów facility debuted during an inaugural aerial exercise of Poland’s new F-16 aircraft at the Polish Peace Sky Program ceremony held at Lockheed Martin on Sept. 15. The five-minute demonstration flight thrilled thousands, including dignitaries from Poland and the U.S. as well as members of the Polish Air Force in training, with dramatic aerobatic maneuvers and the roar of the powerful Pratt & Whitney engine. Pratt & Whitney is a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

“Poland’s acquisition of the F100-powered F-16 multi-role aircraft represents a commitment to providing the Polish Air Force with the most advanced technology in NATO,” said William J. Begert, vice president, business development and international programs, Military Engines.

The program’s first five F100 engines were manufactured at Pratt & Whitney’s Middletown, Conn., facility. The debut engine is the first of 43 being assembled and tested at the WSK PZL-Rzeszów facility before installation in F-16 aircraft. The engines and aircraft are scheduled for delivery to Poland starting in late 2006.

“We have built a 30-year legacy in Poland that is experiencing both growth and realignment today,” said Robert J. Robinson, vice president, international sourcing, Pratt & Whitney, and chairman, supervisory board of directors, WSK PLZ-Rzeszów. “In 2002, we privatized our Rzeszów operations and we announced in May 2006 its capabilities to assemble and test the F100 engine, our most successful program. A combination of great teamwork and extraordinary workmanship enables us to fulfill our vision for Poland.”

Many individual parts required to manufacture the F100-PW-229, as well as tooling for intermediate maintenance, assembly and disassembly, are made at Pratt & Whitney’s WSK PZL- Rzeszów and Kalisz facilities.

In addition to the F100 assembly and test capability, Rzeszów is responsible for the manufacturing of several types of Pratt & Whitney commercial and military engine parts. The facility has more than 4,000 employees.

The F100-PW-229 has proven to be the safest and most reliable fighter engine in the world market today, with more than 7,000 delivered or under contract. Poland is one of 22 nations to fly the F100. Powered by Pratt & Whitney engines, these 48 F-16s are projected to be in service for more than 30 years.

Besides the F100 that powers the F-16 and F-15, Pratt & Whitney military engine models include the F135 for the F-35 Lightning II; F119 powering the F-22 Raptor; F117 for the C-17 Globemaster III; J52 for the EA-6B Prowler; TF33 powering AWACS, Joint STARS, B-52, and KC-135 aircraft; TF30 for the F-111; PT6 for T-6A and UH-1N aircraft; and JT15 for the T-1A trainer and Pegasus UCAV.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies provides high-technology products and services to the aerospace and building industries.

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