EAST HARTFORD, Conn., March 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Pratt &
Whitney F135 System Development and Demonstration (SDD) program has
successfully completed the post test Critical Design Review (CDR) by the Joint
Strike Fighter (JSF) Joint Program Office (JPO). The JPO review found that
the F135 propulsion system has met all review objectives and is on track to
deliver the first flight test engine later this year.
The Post Test CDR, conducted by government and industry experts appointed
by the JSF JPO, is an independent review of the design of the production
configuration F135 propulsion system. This review follows a pre-test CDR
completed in May 2003 which cleared the way for nearly two years of SDD
testing.
"Post Test CDR is a planned pause in the development process to assess the
test data and ensure that we are on the right track," said Rob Burnes,
director of propulsion for the JSF JPO. "This successful review shows that we
are steering in the right direction."
"Completing the Post Test CDR is another in a series of milestones for the
F135 program showing the maturity of this engine design," said Bill Gostic,
vice president, F135 engine programs for Pratt & Whitney. "The design
reflects experience from more than 2,500 SDD test hours on top of 3,500 pre-
SDD hours over the course of the development program so far."
To date, the Pratt & Whitney led F135 propulsion team has delivered three
Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL)/Carrier Variant (CV) configuration
and four Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) configuration F135
engines to test for a total of seven engines delivered on or ahead of
schedule. In December, the team will deliver the first flight test engine in
preparation for Initial Flight Release in January 2006 and first flight in
August 2006. Production deliveries of the F135 are scheduled to begin in
early 2009.
The F135 is an evolution of the highly successful F119 engine for the F/A-
22 Raptor. Together the F135 and F119 will have logged more than one million
flight hours in support of the F-35's introduction to operational service in
2012.
The F135 propulsion system team consists of Pratt & Whitney, the prime
contractor with responsibility for the main engine and system integration;
Rolls-Royce, supplying lift components for the STOVL F-35B; and Hamilton
Sundstrand, provider of the F135's control system, external accessories and
gearbox.
Pratt & Whitney military engine models include the F135 for the F-35 Joint
Strike Fighter; the F119 powering the F/A-22 Raptor; the F117 for the C-17
Globemaster III; the F100 for F-15 and F-16 fighters; the J52 for the EA-6B
Prowler; the TF33 powering AWACS, Joint STARS, B-52, C-141 and KC-135
aircraft; the PT6 for T-6A and UH-1N aircraft; and JT15 for the T-1A trainer
and Pegasus UCAV.
Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies (NYSE: UTX) company, is a world
leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space
propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines.
Contact:
Matthew Perra
(860) 565-8938
matthew.perra@pw.utc.com
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