East Hartford, CT - Today, Reps. John B. Larson (CT-01), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Jim Himes (CT-04), and Jahana Hayes (CT-05) applauded the announcement that East Hartford-based Pratt & Whitney was awarded a $1.3 billion contract from the Department of Defense (DoD) to continue their work on the F135 Engine Core Upgrade (ECU), protecting thousands of skilled machinist jobs and supporting nearly 100 suppliers across Connecticut.
“Back in 2001, Pratt & Whitney won the contract to develop the F135 engine fair and square. After years of fighting efforts to relitigate the original decision, this announcement validates the hard work of the best engineers and machinists in the world, right here in Connecticut,” said Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01). “This contract will protect the 18,000 good-paying F135 jobs across our state, support the 100 F135 suppliers across our state, and bolster our manufacturing sector. The F135 is the most advanced production fighter engine the world has ever known, and I am proud to have worked alongside the entire Connecticut delegation to support these good-paying manufacturing jobs by ensuring Pratt & Whitney remains the sole source provider of the F135 engine. Together, we have secured a program that will save taxpayers tens of billions of dollars and protects Connecticut machinists and suppliers. We will continue to keep the eagle flying in Connecticut for years to come.”
“This contract is yet another strong endorsement of the talented workers of Pratt & Whitney by the Department of Defense to continue advancing technology for the F135 upgrade. Modernizing the existing engine is the best option to improve performance and commonality across all variants of the Joint Strike Fighter program and our international partners,” said Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02).
"Pratt & Whitney is a leader in advanced technology and defense manufacturing," said Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03). "The F135 engine is both cutting-edge and cost-effective. This contract represents the best value for taxpayers and will support over 11,000 workers in East Hartford and Middletown, key contributors to our state's economic strength. I am proud to have championed this contract, which will preserve good paying union jobs and ensure Connecticut remains a global leader in the aerospace industry."
“Pratt & Whitney’s F135 engine program has not only ensured that the F-35 is powered by the most capable fighter engine ever produced but has also provided tens of thousands of good-paying jobs across the state. By funding the continuation of this critical program, this contract will bolster America’s air superiority while keeping Connecticut manufacturers and workers in business. I’m proud to continue supporting this program alongside my Congressional colleagues,” said Rep. Jim Himes (CT-04).
"For almost a century, Pratt & Whitney has developed the future of aerospace technology in Connecticut, and this contract award will continue that legacy," said Rep. Jahana Hayes (CT-05).
As Co-Chair of the Joint Strike Fighter Caucus, Rep. Larson led a coalition of machinists and bipartisan Members of Congress in support of engine modernization and against a costly alternative engine to the Connecticut-built F135.
Earlier this year, President Biden signed the Larson-supported government funding package into law, which fully funded F135 modernization and ensured no federal funds could be used to integrate an alternative engine, achieving a nearly three-decade goal to secure Pratt & Whitney as the sole supplier of engines for the F-35.