Pratt & Whitney officials say they will be delivering two F135-PW-100 Joint Strike Fighter engines to the Arnold Engineering Development Center, Arnold AFB, Tenn., late in October to start conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) qualification tests that will run through January. Thomas Johnson, chief engineer for P&W’s F135 program said the next portion of the development will involve flight clearing for the A-1 first aircraft—scheduled for flight in August 2006.
Sustainment of the F-35 is rapidly becoming the most profitable part of the program, as growing numbers of jets, bases and depots drive a greater demand for parts and services, top Lockheed Martin officials said in an April 20 corporate earnings call. The comments come against a backdrop of criticism…