Driving Innovation: Mechanical and Optical Processes During Rigid-flex Production
It’s Only Common Sense: Your Biggest Competitor Is Complacency
The Chemical Connection: Onshoring PCB Production—Daunting but Certainly Possible
Pratt & Whitney's F135 Engine Core Upgrade Receives Additional $75M in FY23 Omnibus Appropriations Bill
December 26, 2022 | Pratt & WhitneyEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Pratt & Whitney's F135 Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) for the F-35 Lightning II received $75 million in additional funding in the fiscal year 2023 omnibus appropriations bill, further affirming congressional support to modernize the engine.
"If the services and our allies want Block 4 enabled F-35s before the end of the decade, the engine needs a core upgrade," said Jen Latka, vice president of F135 programs at Pratt & Whitney. "Thanks to the support we've received from Congress, with leadership from Chairwoman DeLauro, the upgraded engine will be ready for fielding starting in 2028."
Pratt & Whitney's ECU is the only F-35 propulsion modernization option suitable for all F-35 variants. It will yield $40 billion in lifecycle cost savings by avoiding disruptive and costly air vehicle changes and leveraging the current sustainment infrastructure.
"Pratt & Whitney has reduced the cost of the F135 engine by 50% since production began, and the engine has performed at twice its original specifications for years. An upgrade is overdue," said Rosa DeLauro, chair of the House Appropriations Committee. "We're going to give the F-35 the capabilities it needs for billions less than a new engine. That's a win for the warfighter and the taxpayer."
The F135 program is a major driver of economic growth around the country, supporting 53,000 jobs across 36 states in total; including 27,000 jobs in Connecticut, 3,000 jobs in Maine, and 2,300 jobs in Florida.
Share on:
Testimonial
"The I-Connect007 team is outstanding—kind, responsive, and a true marketing partner. Their design team created fresh, eye-catching ads, and their editorial support polished our content to let our brand shine. Thank you all! "
Sweeney Ng - CEE PCBSuggested Items
Defense Speak Interpreted: The Autonomous Plane Battle—Skyborg Vs. Loyal Wingman
10/07/2025 | Dennis Fritz -- Column: Defense Speak InterpretedI’m awaiting the updates for the U.S. Air Force's Skyborg and Loyal Wingman airborne driverless vehicles. As the hype of self-driving cars has given way to more mundane autonomous activities, so too has the hype of uncrewed planes given way to reality. In cars, the SAE International association classifies degrees of autonomy from 0 to 5, as do some defense aerospace applications of unmanned flight, which have been reduced to practice, while others remain under development.
Schweizer Ends Staff Restructuring Measures and Short-Time Working at the Schramberg Site
10/01/2025 | Schweizer Electronic AGSchweizer Electronic AG has implemented comprehensive measures to adjust its cost and personnel structure at its Schramberg site due to strong market fluctuations in the automotive and industrial electronics sector. Thanks to the successful restructuring, short-time working can now be ended with immediate effect. A stable order situation is expected for the fourth quarter, with signs of growth momentum returning in 2026.
Global Sourcing Spotlight: Finding the Balance Between Cost and Quality
09/24/2025 | Bob Duke -- Column: Global Sourcing SpotlightIn global sourcing, pursuing lower costs often takes center stage. It’s the shiny lure that gets buyers to cast their lines into unfamiliar waters. But seasoned professionals know that in the long run, sourcing is less about price tags and more about value. The real magic—and margin—lies in finding the balance between cost and quality.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
08/15/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007In our industry, my top reads include Prashant Patel’s overview and argument for reshoring, which I found to be a great general overview and breakdown. In further support of the onshoring/reshoring message, I’m highlighting Nolan Johnson’s interview on the survey and report by the Reshoring Initiative. Check out my interview with USPAE’s Jim Will on the state of the flat panel display (FPD) industry and the risks associated with it for U.S. defense and critical infrastructure products.
Global Electronics Industry Remains Under Pressure from Rising Costs
08/04/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationThe global electronics manufacturing supply chain remains under pressure from rising costs, with 61% of firms reporting higher material costs and 54% noting increased labor expenses. according to the Global Electronics Association’s Sentiment of the Global Electronics Manufacturing Supply Chain Report.