The Pratt & Whitney F100 engine family – which includes the PW-100, -200, -220 and -229 engine models – recently surpassed 22 million operational flight hours. The F100 engine powers the F-16 and F-15 military fighter jets operated by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and air forces in 22 nations. Morocco will become the 23rd nation to operate the F100 engine when delivery of its F100 powered F-16s begins in 2010. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corporation company.
"The F100 propulsion system has proven its reliability, dependability and exceptional performance time and time again in military forces around the world," said Warren Boley, vice president, Pratt & Whitney Military Programs and Customer Support. "We strive to provide our customers not only the highest quality products, but an unmatched level of service and support so they can successfully accomplish their critical missions. And we're proud to celebrate 22 million hours of doing just that."
The F100 engine entered service in 1974 and is expected to remain operational through 2035. Pratt & Whitney has delivered 7,170 F100 engines to customers around the world and currently has firm commitments for 149 more.
The F100-PW-229 Engine Enhancement Package (EEP) is the latest evolution of the F100 family of fighter aircraft engines, the safest fighter engines in U.S. Air Force history. Through the incorporation of technology developed for the F135 and F119, the world's only fifth generation fighter jet engines, the PW-229 EEP engine will provide advanced, dependable power for F-15 and F-16 fighter aircraft around the world. The development of the PW-229 EEP was initiated to increase the engine depot inspection interval from 4,300 to 6,000 cycles, while maintaining the 29,100 pound thrust rating. This increase is equivalent to extending the depot maintenance interval from seven years to 10 years, a 30 percent life cycle cost reduction over the life of a PW-229 EEP engine. The F100-PW-229 EEP engine is the only fighter engine funded and qualified by the U.S. Air Force to the 6,000 cycle capability.
Pratt & Whitney military engines include the F100 that powers the F-16 and F-15; the F135 for the F-35 Lightning II; F119 for the F-22 Raptor; F117 for the C-17 Globemaster III; J52 for the EA-6B Prowler; TF33 powering AWACS, Joint STARS, B-52, and KC-135 aircraft; TF30 for the F-111; PT6 for T-6A and UH-1N aircraft; and JT15 for the T-1A trainer.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and commercial building industries.