US Air Force gives F-22s a much-needed engine boost to reverse 20-year readiness low

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US Air Force gives F-22s a much-needed engine boost to reverse 20-year readiness low

Pratt & Whitney, a business unit of RTX, has secured a three-year contract valued at up to $1.5 billion to support the maintenance of F119 engines that power the U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptor fighter jets.

This agreement aims to enhance the operational readiness of an F119 fleet exceeding 400 engines, which has collectively logged over 900,000 flight hours.

Jill Albertelli, president of Military Engines at Pratt & Whitney, highlighted the critical nature of the F119 engines’ readiness and reliability, stating, “We are focused on improving both while lowering lifecycle costs.”

This initiative reflects a commitment to help the U.S. Air Force retain the F-22’s advantage in combat scenarios.

A much-needed engine boost

The F-22 Raptor has two F119 engines that produce more than 35,000 pounds of thrust each.

This powerful engine configuration allows the aircraft to reach altitudes above 65,000 feet while maintaining impressive speed and agility.

A distinctive feature of the F-22 is its ability to achieve and sustain supersonic speeds without the need for afterburners, a capability referred to as supercruise.

This conserves fuel and extends the aircraft’s operational range, making it a formidable presence in the skies.

As part of its strategy to reduce costs, Pratt & Whitney has

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a Usage-Based Living program that utilizes real-time data to optimize maintenance processes and extend the lifespan of the engines.

In addition, engine control system updates have enhanced its kinematic performance.

This new contract is expected to support ongoing efforts to improve readiness and cut expenses while emphasizing safety, accessibility, straightforward maintenance, and modernization efforts.

20-year readiness low

The contract’s announcement comes when the U.S. Air Force grapples with significant challenges in maintaining high operational availability across its aircraft fleets, reportedly reaching their lowest availability levels in two decades.

The average mission-capable rate dropped to only 67.15% during fiscal year 2024, marking a decline of nearly two percentage points from the previous year and the lowest statistic since 2004.

The mission-capable rate indicates how well an aircraft can perform at least one of its core functions based on U.S. Air Force planning.

Factors influencing these rates include the availability of maintenance personnel, spare parts, and crew training levels.

During fiscal year 2024, the U.S. Air Force operated 65 different aircraft types, with 29 showing a reduction in their mission-capable rates.

The CV-22 Osprey reported the lowest availability, consistent with the aircraft’s history of technical failures and limitations.

Conversely, 26 aircraft types improved operational readiness, with the C-12, C-21, MC-12, and UV-18 achieving a commendable 100% operational availability rate.

F-22, F-35 woes

The trend among the Air Force’s stealth fighter fleets, notably the F-22 and F-35, is of particular concern.

The F-22’s operational

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plummeted from 57.4% two years ago to a concerning 40.2% recently.

Analysts explain this decline because of congressional restrictions preventing the retirement of older, high-maintenance units until 2028.

The F-35, however, registered a slight improvement in availability, increasing by 0.5 percentage points to reach 51.5%, attributed to a better supply of spare parts.

Additionally, the bomber fleet has faced reliability challenges, with availability rates for the B-1B, B-2A, and B-52H all decreasing.

In the reconnaissance category, aging platforms scheduled for retirement, such as the EC-130H and E-3G AWACS, are experiencing similarly low operational capabilities as they await newer replacements.

The military underscores the importance of these metrics for maintaining a robust and ready fleet in the face of evolving global threats.

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