5/10/2007 - EAST HARTFORD, CT – Pratt & Whitney’s F135 engine powered three F-35 Lightning II flight tests on April 26 and 27, marking the first time the F-35 Lightning II has completed more than one flight test in 24 hours, and three flight tests in less than 48 hours. Flights completed on April 26 required only a 90-minute turnaround time for routine inspections.

The F135 team conducted engine tests including throttle transitions to maximum power afterburner during all three flights, which took place at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The increased flight test operations show the rapidly advancing maturity of the F135 propulsion system.

“Ninety minutes is an impressive turnaround time for a development aircraft program, and demonstrates the maturity, flexibility and reliability of Pratt & Whitney’s F135 propulsion system,” said Bill Gostic, vice president, Pratt & Whitney F135 program. “We remain focused on exceeding our customers’ expectations by successfully meeting every milestone in the F-35 flight test program.”

The first F135 engine provided for the F-35 flight test program has accumulated over 18 flight test hours powering all 19 flight tests to date. The F135 has logged more than 7,400 system development and demonstration ground test hours.

Pratt & Whitney is the lead propulsion system supplier for the F-35 program. The technologically advanced F135 is an evolution of the highly successful F119 engine for the F-22 Raptor. Together the F135 and F119 will have logged more than 600,000 hours before the F-35’s introduction into operational service in 2012. Rated at more than 40,000 pounds of thrust, the F135 is the most powerful fighter engine ever built.

Source: Pratt & Whitney Press Release