$968 million engine alignment

has been awarded a contract modification to align the F135 engine System Development and Demonstration (SDD) program with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter schedule plan.

The modification extends the original SDD contract by 16 months at an additional value of up to $968 million depending upon the level of work required.

In 2001, Pratt & Whitney was awarded a 10-year $4.8 billion contract for System Development and Demonstration to develop the F135 propulsion system through flight clearance, flight test, and qualification for Low Rate Initial Production.

The F135 SDD program is used to manage risk through ground and flight testing of development engines while maturing technology before production. To date, Pratt & Whitney has delivered three Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) configuration and four Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) configuration engines to test.

This month Pratt & Whitney began assembly of the first flight-test F135 engine, which will be delivered to Lockheed Martin in December. The Pratt & Whitney F135 will be the exclusive power for the Joint Strike Fighter's first flights beginning in the third quarter of 2006. The first production F135 engines will be delivered in 2009, supporting the F-35's introduction into operational service in 2012.