The funding will further support design engineering, programme management support, technology maturation, risk reduction, long lead material and hardware purchase, and weapons system integration.

Jen Latka, Pratt & Whitney‘s vice president for the F135 programme, said: “We’re extremely grateful for the ceaseless support we receive from the entire Connecticut delegation.

“We’ll use this funding to make quick progress on our Engine Core Upgrade’s preliminary design efforts, and that will keep us on track to deliver this important capability starting in 2028.”

In March 2023, the US Air Force, US Marine Corps, and US Navy chose to upgrade the F135 instead of replacing it with an entirely new engine. The decision was announced as part of President Biden’s 2024 budget proposal.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, said: “A modernised F-35 needs a modernised engine to support it. The additional $66 million for the F135 Engine Core Upgrade we’ve secured will help us maintain a skilled work force in Connecticut and around the country to deliver this much-needed capability.

“Upgrading the F135 is the right decision to support our national defense priorities and defense industrial base, and I’ll continue to ensure this programme gets the support and funding it needs.”

The F135 Engine Core Upgrade is the fastest, most cost-effective, and lowest-risk path to Block 4 capability for all global F-35 operators. It is optimised for all three F-35 variants and will yield $40 billion in lifecycle cost savings by avoiding disruptive and costly air vehicle changes and leveraging the current global sustainment infrastructure.