Pratt & Whitney Congratulates U.S. Marine Corps for World's
First F-35B Lightning II Operational Squadron
YUMA, Ariz., Nov. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- MARINE CORPS
AIR STATION -- Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United
Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), joined today with other industry
partners to celebrate and offer congratulations to the United States Marine Corps for the
official stand-up and re-designation of Marine Fighter Attack
Squadron 121, the world's first operational squadron to fly the
F-35B Lightning II aircraft.
During a ceremony today at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., representatives from Pratt &
Whitney joined with esteemed aviation painter Keith Ferris, and his wife, Peggy, to present to
the Marine Corps Ferris' painting "High Tide at Red Beach," which
depicts the F-35B flying over the skies of Camp Pendleton, Calif.
"Hundreds of thousands of Marines have participated in
amphibious landing and aviation training exercises at Red Beach on
the Camp Pendleton complex, and
many of them would instantly recognize that setting, which is
wholly unique to the Marine Corps experience," said Ferris. "This
painting captures the expeditionary and amphibious character of the
Marine Corps, and the role of Marine Tactical Aviation in
supporting the Marine on the ground. It was a delight to paint, and
an even greater honor to present it to the Commandant of the Marine
Corps on this historic occasion."
"This is yet another historic achievement for the F-35 program,
and for the F-35B in particular," said Bennett Croswell, president, Pratt & Whitney
Military Engines. "Just over a year ago, two F-35B aircraft
accomplished their 'first ever' sea-based short take offs and
vertical landings during trials aboard the USS Wasp, demonstrating
to our STOVL customers the unique capabilities of the F135 STOVL
propulsion system. Now we're celebrating another first for the
program – the arrival of the first operational F-35B to Marine
Corps Air Station Yuma, and the beginning of a new fifth generation
fighter era for the Green Knights of VMFA-121."
The F-35B, a short takeoff and vertical landing multi-role
fighter, is slated to replace the Marine Corps' F/A-18 Hornet,
AV-8B Harrier and EA-6B Prowler. The F-35B's propulsion system,
powered by Pratt & Whitney's F135 engine and the Rolls-Royce
LiftSystem, allows the aircraft to operate from expeditionary
airfields in remote, non-permissive environments with shorter
runways, as well as amphibious vessels, contributing to the Marine
Corps' role as the nation's expeditionary force-in-readiness.
The F-35 program includes three variants to meet the unique
needs of the U.S. armed forces and the international participants
in the program: the Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL), the
Carrier Variant (CV), and the Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing
(STOVL). To date, the F135 propulsion system has powered more than
358 vertical landings, 2,623 test flights producing more than 4,055
flight hours. Pratt & Whitney has delivered 41 CTOL/CV and 35
STOVL engines and related propulsion system hardware. The success
of the F135 engine program validates the reliability, safety and
performance of the engine.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture
and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and
industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company
providing high technology products and services to the global
aerospace and building industries.
This press release contains forward-looking statements
concerning future business opportunities and operational engine
performance. Actual results may differ materially from those
projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including
but not limited to changes in funding related to the F-35 aircraft
and F135 engines, changes in government procurement priorities and
practices or in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in
the design, development, production and support of advanced
technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including
but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United
Technologies Corp.'s Securities and Exchange Commission
filings.
Matthew C. Bates
Pratt
& Whitney Military Engines
860-557-3595
Mobile: 860-371-9857
matthew.bates@pw.utc.com
SOURCE Pratt & Whitney