Pratt & Whitney has delivered the first F135 engine for low rate initial production (LRIP) 3 to the U.S. Government for the F-35 Lightning II program. F135 engines in LRIP 3 meet established affordability targets and include engine modifications and improvements based on findings from the F-35 flight test program. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.

"Delivery of our 21st production engine is a significant milestone for the F-35 program, as we continue to deliver a more mature and capable F135 engine to meet the evolving needs of the war fighter," said Bennett Croswell, vice president, F135/F119 Engine Programs. "In doing so, we continue reducing costs to produce a more affordable and reliable product for our customers."

As part of LRIP 3, Pratt & Whitney will begin delivery of F135 engines to all three branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as F-35 partner countries the United Kingdom and The Netherlands. Pratt & Whitney has delivered all 20 of the F135 engines in LRIP 1 and 2.

Pratt & Whitney has designed, developed and tested the F135 to deliver the most advanced fifth-generation fighter engine for the United States and its allies around the world. The F135 is the only engine powering the F-35 test program with more than 88 flawless vertical landings, 845 flight tests and 1,200 flight hours.