Hartford Reporter

East Hartford, CT – On July 7, Reps. John B. Larson (CT-01), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), and Joe Courtney (CT-02) applauded the Department of Defense’s (DOD) announcement of a $66 million contract with East Hartford-based Pratt & Whitney to support F135 engine modernization efforts.

“This new announcement from DOD will help ensure the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, the most advanced and reliable fighter engine we have ever known, continues to power the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter,” said Larson, DeLauro, and Courtney. “We are proud of our efforts to support the 27,000 manufacturing jobs and nearly 100 suppliers in our state by securing $200 million in federal support for F135 modernization over the last two years. It is welcome news that both the Biden Administration and private sector stakeholders, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, have committed to support engine modernization rather than a costly and risky alternative engine. We will continue to work together to ensure ongoing support in Congress for the F135 engine and Connecticut manufacturing.”

“We’re fully focused on delivering this engine upgrade to our customer as quickly as possible, because it’s critical to ensuring all F-35s are Block 4 capable by the end of the decade,” said Jill Albertelli, president of Pratt & Whitney’s Military Engines business. “This funding would not be possible without steadfast support from the Connecticut delegation, who fight to protect this capability for our servicemembers and our allies every day.”

“The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers/District 26 Machinists Union are truly grateful for Congressman Larson and the Connecticut delegation’s unwavering fight and support of the F135 and engine enhancement program. The Machinists Union have continued to benefit from their efforts to keep essential union jobs in CT,” said Jeff Santini, IAMAW/District 26 Assistant Directing Business Representative.

The DOD contract with Pratt & Whitney provides for design engineering, program support, and weapons system integration to support F135 engine enhancement efforts, with 92% of contract work performed in East Hartford.

President Biden announced support for the F135 Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) program in his Fiscal Year 2024 budget request, after Rep. Larson led a coalition of machinists and bipartisan members of Congress in support of F135 modernization. As Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, Reps. DeLauro and Courtney ensured the program was fully funded in their respective committees’ markups of the FY 2024 National Defense Authorization and Defense Appropriation Acts.

Issues: Connecticut Manufacturing Connecticut’s Defense Industry Defense

Original source can be found here.