Japanese Ministry of Defense Announces Plans to Purchase F-35 Aircraft

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Dec. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Japanese Defense Minister Yasuo Ichikawa has announced the selection of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft for the F-X program.  The F-35 is produced by Lockheed Martin and powered by Pratt & Whitney's F135 engine. The announcement includes 42 installed engines, spare engines and a logistics support program. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.

The Japanese government's decision to select the F-35 Lightning II as the Japan Air Self Defense Force's (JASDF) next-generation fighter makes Japan the second country to receive the F-35 through the United States government's Foreign Military Sales process, and the 13th F-35 customer.

"We are honored to be part of the Japanese F135-powered F-35 selection and look forward to supporting the Japan Air Self Defense Force and Japanese aerospace industry," said Bennett Croswell, president of Pratt & Whitney Military Engines. "This program selection builds on the strong relationship Pratt & Whitney has with JASDF and Japanese industry over the past 30 years on the F100 engine powering their F-15 fighters."

The F-35 program will replace Japan's aging F-4 fleet with highly advanced fifth-generation technology and capability. Procurement of the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine also offers potentially significant engine industrial participation for Japanese industry.

Croswell said, "Flight testing continues to validate the exceptional performance of the F135-powered F-35 and we look forward to powering Japan's fleet of next-generation fighter jets."

Pratt & Whitney, the only engine manufacturer producing fifth-generation propulsion systems, has designed, developed and tested the F135 to deliver the most advanced fifth- generation fighter engine for the U.S. services and our international allies. The F135 is derived from the proven technology of the only operational fifth-generation fighter engine, the Pratt & Whitney F119, which exclusively powers the F-22 Raptor.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future business opportunities and operational engine performance. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in funding related to the F-35 aircraft and F135 engines, changes in government procurement priorities and practices or in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corp.'s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Stephanie Duvall
Pratt & Whitney Military Engines
+1.860.557.1382
[email protected]    

SOURCE Pratt & Whitney

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