Raytheon Technologies’ unit Pratt & Whitney has landed a defense contract modification worth up to $2.8 billion, securing its role as a key supplier of engines for America’s premier stealth fighter, the F-35 Lightning II.

The Naval Air Systems Command deal, announced by the Pentagon, expands an existing contract and orders 141 F135 propulsion systems. These engines will drive multiple variants of the F-35—supporting the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, allied partners, and foreign military customers.

Billions Pledged, Decades of Air Superiority in Sight

The U.S. Department of Defense said more than $2 billion is obligated immediately. The Air Force will contribute roughly $614 million, while the Navy pledges $654 million. Additional funding includes $513 million from foreign sales and $228 million from international program participants.

The contract scope isn’t limited to engines alone. It spans spares, tooling, engineering, program management, and production support, ensuring a holistic supply chain through February 2028.

The Beating Heart of the F-35 Fleet

“The combat-proven F135 engine delivers the power, safety, reliability and stealth needed to execute the toughest missions,” said Christopher K. Johnson, vice president of Pratt & Whitney’s F135 program. He emphasized that the award ensures American and allied pilots maintain dominance in the skies for decades to come.

The engines will power all three F-35 models:

• Conventional take-off and landing jets for the Air Force,

• Carrier-based aircraft for the Navy,

• Short take-off and vertical landing versions for the Marine Corps.

Economic Muscle Behind Military Might

Beyond defense readiness, Pratt & Whitney underscored the program’s economic ripple effect. More than 1,300 F135 engines have already been delivered, with the program contributing $9 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023 alone. That impact translates into 67,000 domestic jobs and support for 240 U.S. suppliers—a vast industrial ecosystem humming beneath the fighter’s stealthy silhouette.

With this Pratt & Whitney $2.8B Award, the Pentagon doubles down on both cutting-edge air power and the American workforce powering it, betting that the F135 remains the indispensable core of the world’s most advanced fighter jet.