Blumenthal, Murphy, DeLauro, Larson Announce $1.1 Billion Contract For Pratt And Whitney
(Hartford, CT) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-3) and Congressman John Larson (D-CT-1) issued statements regarding the award to Pratt & Whitney of a $508 million contract for the production of 38 F-135 engines to power the F-35 strike fighters, supporting thousands of jobs in Connecticut. The $508 million contract, signed Wednesday, modifies an existing agreement with Pratt & Whitney, bringing the total contract value for engine production up to $1.1 billion. In addition to the production of 38 engines, the contract covers program management, engineering support, and spare parts, among other work. The contract represents a decrease in cost of 2.5 percent for 32 of the takeoff and landing engines, and a 9.6 percent decrease in cost for the remaining six short takeoff and vertical landing engines.
“This latest contract award represents the unparalleled quality and ingenuity of Connecticut-made technology. Connecticut continues to have the best, most highly-trained and highly-skilled workforce in the world, providing second-to-none engines, aircraft and specialized parts for all sectors of our military,” Blumenthal said. “I will continue to fight on behalf of Connecticut workers and our service men and women – particularly in these latest budget negotiations – to ensure that defense jobs and the life-saving products made here are protected.”
“The hardworking men and women who make Pratt & Whitney great form a critical pillar of our state’s economy,” Murphy said. “The best engines in the world come from Connecticut and our armed forces deserve nothing less. I’m proud to stand with our state’s congressional delegation in support of this funding and will continue to push to ensure that our state remains at the forefront of America’s defense industry into the future.”
“This contract is great news for Connecticut’s economy and is a credit to the hardworking men and women at Pratt & Whitney,” DeLauro said. “I am proud of Connecticut’s central role in providing our troops with the necessary equipment to keep America safe. Connecticut has always been a state that does not just buy things, we build them, and we are stronger for it.”
“The F135 engines built here in Connecticut continue to be a driving force behind our manufacturing base, in addition to playing an integral role in our nation's long term military future,” Larson said. “Today's announcement reaffirms the importance of this program and demonstrates the successful cost reduction efforts of the hard working men and women at Pratt & Whitney. I fought to end the alternate engine for exactly this reason: Pratt & Whitney and Connecticut's manufacturing base are the best in the world at producing high quality, reliable engines for our military while keeping the need to reduce costs in mind. I am pleased to see their vision continue to strengthen the Joint Strike Fighter program that will help our nation remain the preeminent military power across the globe.”