Program · United States
F135 Engine Program
Pratt & Whitney propulsion family for all three F-35 variants.
Updated
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Awarded
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Across linked awards
Timeline2
- Contract awardConfirmed
F135 system development and demonstration contract
- First deliveryConfirmed
First production F135 engine delivered
Program and variant milestones. Dates show only the precision the sources give.
Cost to the Government$84.10B total acquisition
| Measure | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Program totals · 1 | ||
| Total acquisition costF-35 engine subprogram (F135), Dec 2023 SAR via CRS; ~$61B in constant FY2012 dollars. | $84.1BThen-year $ | F-35 Lightning II: Background and Issues for Congress (CRS R48304) Congressional Research Service · Dec 11, 2024 |
| Unit costs · 2 | ||
| Contract unit priceLots 18-19 F135 combined value $6.6B (Lot 18 definitized + Lot 19 production, announced March 30, 2026); Air & Space Forces Magazine presumes ~296 engines (JPO told Breaking Defense Lot 19 is ~150 engines) giving ~$22.6M each. Includes initial spares, modules and production support; quantity is an approximation. | $22.6MThen-year $ · 296 units | Pentagon Awards $6.6 Billion Contract for Next Two Lots of F-35 Engines Air & Space Forces Magazine · Apr 2, 2026 · figure Mar 30, 2026 |
| Unit cost (per unit)Average cost per F135 engine per the Dec 2023 SAR as summarized by CRS (dollar basis not stated). | $18MBasis not stated | F-35 Lightning II: Background and Issues for Congress (CRS R48304) Congressional Research Service · Dec 11, 2024 |
Program totals · 1
- Total acquisition costF-35 engine subprogram (F135), Dec 2023 SAR via CRS; ~$61B in constant FY2012 dollars.F-35 Lightning II: Background and Issues for Congress (CRS R48304) Congressional Research Service · Dec 11, 2024$84.1BThen-year $
Unit costs · 2
- Contract unit priceLots 18-19 F135 combined value $6.6B (Lot 18 definitized + Lot 19 production, announced March 30, 2026); Air & Space Forces Magazine presumes ~296 engines (JPO told Breaking Defense Lot 19 is ~150 engines) giving ~$22.6M each. Includes initial spares, modules and production support; quantity is an approximation.Pentagon Awards $6.6 Billion Contract for Next Two Lots of F-35 Engines Air & Space Forces Magazine · Apr 2, 2026 · figure Mar 30, 2026$22.6MThen-year $ · 296 units
- Unit cost (per unit)Average cost per F135 engine per the Dec 2023 SAR as summarized by CRS (dollar basis not stated).F-35 Lightning II: Background and Issues for Congress (CRS R48304) Congressional Research Service · Dec 11, 2024$18MBasis not stated
Earlier observations · 1
Superseded estimates and prices, each in its original scope and dollar basis.
| Measure | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Contract unit priceLot 18 F135 undefinitized award announced Aug 22, 2025: $2.88B for 141 engines (Pratt says includes spares); average ~$20.4M per engine per Air & Space Forces Magazine. | $20.4MThen-year $ · 141 units | New F-35 Engine Contract Puts Fighter's Price Around $100 Million Air & Space Forces Magazine · Aug 25, 2025 · figure Aug 22, 2025 |
- Contract unit priceLot 18 F135 undefinitized award announced Aug 22, 2025: $2.88B for 141 engines (Pratt says includes spares); average ~$20.4M per engine per Air & Space Forces Magazine.New F-35 Engine Contract Puts Fighter's Price Around $100 Million Air & Space Forces Magazine · Aug 25, 2025 · figure Aug 22, 2025$20.4MThen-year $ · 141 units
What the government budgets and pays for this program, from budget justification books, appropriations, acquisition reports and contract announcements. Each figure states its dollar basis. What contractors were obligated is under Contracts.