Pratt's F-35 engine closer to production

The Pentagon has moved Pratt & Whitney Co. a step closer to begin production and delivery of engines for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the East Hartford manufacturer said.

Pratt's F135 engine completed altitude qualification ground testing, the final phase that demonstrates the operability and performance required for take-off and landing on land and aboard aircraft carrier, the company said.

The Pentagon is preparing to issue an initial service release for the F135 engine, a recognition that it is ready for operational use.

In September, a version of the prototype engine was destroyed during testing, raising concerns about delays in the flight test schedule for the engine that is part of the $300 billion program for Lockheed Martin Corp. to develop the warplane.

Warren Boley, Vice President of F135 Engine Programs at Pratt, praised the engine and test teams at Tennessee's Arnold Engineering Development Center, where testing is taking place.

"Their hard work has demonstrated the performance of the F135 engine and puts us at the doorstep of achieving (initial service release)," Boley said.