U.S. Increases Funding for F135 Engine Upgrade Project for F-35 Lightning Fifth-Generation Fighters
What is known
The American manufacturer will be able to continue to carry out preliminary design work for the Engine Core Upgrade (ECU). With the allocation of $66 million, funding increased to $180 million.
In March 2023, the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps decided to upgrade the F135 engine instead of developing a new adaptive cycle propulsion system.Pratt & Whitney said this is the right decision to support the priorities of national defense and the defense industrial base.
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ECU is the fastest, least risky andthe cheapest way to open the way for F-35 fighters to upgrade Block 4. The upgrade will allow the F135 ECU to be used in all versions of the aircraft, while the adaptive engine would not be compatible with the F-35B. In addition, the ECU will provide an opportunity to save $40 billion over the life cycle.