The US Navy has allocated $2.9 billion to Pratt & Whitney for F135 engines for F-35 fighter jets

141 engine contract for Navy and Allies

The US Navy has signed a $2.9 billion contract with Pratt & Whitney for the production of F135 engines for fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters. The agreement provides for the supply of 141 engines to be installed on aircraft for the US Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, as well as for countries participating in the international F—35 program and foreign military customers.

This contract is part of the Defense Ministry's long-term strategy to maintain and grow the F-35 fleet, the most massive fifth-generation fighter in the world. The engines will be manufactured at Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

The role of the F135 in the F program-The F135 engine is the heart of the F-35 fighter and provides unique characteristics, including supersonic speed, low visibility and high maneuverability. For the F-35B version used by the Marine Corps, the engine is equipped with a vertical takeoff and landing (STOVL) system, which allows the aircraft to be operated from aircraft carriers and forward bases.

Reliability, maintainability and unification of engines play a key role in reducing operating costs and ensuring high fleet availability.

Support for global operational compatibility

The supply of engines not only for the American armed forces, but also for international partners — Australia, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Northern Europe and others — underlines the importance of standardization. A single propulsion platform simplifies logistics, staff training, and joint operations within NATO and other alliances.

Pratt & Whitney and the future of fifth-generation engines

Pratt & Whitney has remained a key supplier of power plants for the F-35 program since its launch. At the same time, the company is actively involved in the development of a new line of engines — the Engine Upgrade Program (EUP) and Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP), which are designed to provide the F-35 with even greater thrust, fuel efficiency and the ability to accommodate new systems.

This contract strengthens Pratt & Whitney's position as a leading developer of military aircraft engines and confirms the long-term perspective of the F-35 program.

Lockheed Martin is modernizing Javelin production, increasing output by 50%

The American defense corporation Lockheed Martin is actively modernizing the Javelin anti-tank missile production line. The company currently produces about 2,400 rockets per year, but by the end of 2026 it plans to increase the volume to 3,960 units, which is almost 50% more.  

For this purpose, new technologies, equipment and testing systems are being introduced, which will speed up and improve the production process. For example, in May 2025, a new component quality control station was launched at a plant in Troy, Alabama. It replaces the old systems and allows you to more accurately check how the individual parts of the rocket interact. Modern software solutions such as SystemLink are also used to help analyze data and improve product quality.

The company is installing 24 new test stations at three key locations:

- 14 in Troy,  

- 8 — in Ocala (Florida),  

- 2 — to Huntsville (Alabama).  

This will reduce equipment downtime, speed up production, and increase throughput. It is also important that the new stations are protected at a level that meets modern cybersecurity requirements.

Modernization affects not only the plant itself, but also the supply chain. The company works closely with suppliers to improve the quality of components and speed up production. This is especially important given the growing demand for Javelin both in the United States and abroad, especially in Europe and Ukraine.

Lockheed Martin has signed a major contract with the US Army, which could amount to up to $7.2 billion in the period 2023-2026. The terms of the contract include the supply of an unlimited number of missiles, which underlines the strategic importance of Javelin for future military operations.

Javelin production modernization is not just about increasing volumes, but updating the entire system: from automation and testing to quality control and cybersecurity. This will reduce costs, increase missile reliability, and accelerate deliveries to both the U.S. Army and FMS partners, including Ukraine.  

This approach confirms that the Javelin remains one of the key elements of modern anti-tank weapons in the world.

BAE Systems received $48 million for VLS MK 41 containers for the USA, Australia and Japan

 

BAE Systems Land & Armaments LP of Minneapolis, Minnesota, has received a $48 million amendment to an earlier contract for the production of containers for the MK 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) and auxiliary equipment. 

According to the Ministry of Defense, the contract includes purchases for the United States (78%), as well as for the governments of Australia (21%) and Japan (1%) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The contract is supervised by the Naval Systems Command, based in Washington, DC.

Work under the agreement will be performed in Aberdeen, South Dakota (90%), and Minneapolis, Minnesota (10%), with an expected completion date of February 2028.

Raytheon has received a major contract for the supply of AIM-9X-4 Block II missiles for the US Navy and Air Force and allies

AIM-9X-4 Block II

Raytheon, a division of RTX Corporation, has received a significant contract from the US Navy for the production of a new batch of AIM-9X-4 Block II All Up Round (AUR) air-to-air missiles. The deal includes the delivery of 492 missiles to the U.S. Navy, 456 to the U.S. Air Force, and 808 to partners in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, underscoring the important role of this missile in modern air combat for both the U.S. armed forces and allies.

The AIM-9X-4 Block II is the latest version of the Sidewinder missile family, equipped with a highly sensitive infrared homing head with improved signal processing and counter-countermeasures. The missile is capable of capturing targets at high angles and has high maneuverability thanks to the thrust vector control system.

In addition, the AIM-9X-4 supports the "capture after launch" (LOAL) function, which allows it to hit targets outside the direct line of sight of the pilot, which is especially important in modern dynamic aerial combat. The missile integrates with various platforms, including the F-35, F/A-18, F-15EX and F-16 fighter jets.