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Pratt & Whitney has completed a preliminary design review of its Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) program for the F135 powerplant installed in all versions of the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter. The review affirmed that the program is on track to introduce the upgrade to new and in-service engines in 2029.
The engine OEM developed the ECU to address two specific requirements. The first concerns the diminished service life of the F135 as a result of higher-than-anticipated demands on the engine in service, which in some cases have been more than double those in the original specification. The ECU can be retrofitted during routine depot maintenance.
In addition to restoring full service life to the engine, the ECU also ensures that the F135 can meet the future demands of the power and thermal management system—regardless of whether the PTMS is modified or replaced with a new one—as the aircraft prepares for its Block 4 capability enhancements. The system upgrade requires a power offtake requirement of up to 80 kilowatts.
