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Pentagon Awards $1.6 Billion Undefinitized Deal to Sustain F-35 Engines Through 2026

The action signals expanded sustainment funding, with contract definitization anticipated in early 2026.

Overview

  • The Department of Defense on Nov. 28 awarded RTX’s Pratt & Whitney a $1.6 billion undefinitized contract for F135 engine sustainment running through November 2026.
  • The package covers nearly 20 activities, including unit and depot maintenance, replenishment spare parts, software sustainment, engineering support, propulsion system integration, and material management for U.S. and international operators.
  • Naval Air Systems Command is the contracting authority, work spans about a dozen global sites including the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, and the Air Force initially obligated roughly $56.5 million from its 2026 operations and maintenance funds.
  • The award is about $298 million larger than a similar December 2024 action and $904 million more than a November 2023 award, with finalized Lot 18 and a Lot 19 contract expected in early 2026.
  • Pratt & Whitney cites a sustainment network of multiple depots, 39 bases and 12 ships supporting roughly 20 allied nations and more than 1,300 delivered F135 engines, underscoring the readiness focus after 2021 maintenance shortfalls.