Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corp., has delivered the first four F117 engines for the Indian Air Force to power its fleet of Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft.
India’s Ministry of Defence signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance with the U.S. government in 2011 to acquire 10 C-17s. India will take delivery of its first C-17s in mid 2013.
“Pratt & Whitney is pleased to deliver the first four F117 engines for the Indian Air Force’s C-17 program,” said Bev Deachin, vice president, Military Programs and Customer Support, Pratt & Whitney. “We look forward to a continued partnership with India as we complete the remaining F117 engines to fulfill this contract.”
Four F117s provide exclusive power for the C-17 Globemaster III, the world’s premier heavy airlifter. The F117-PW-100 is the sister engine of Pratt & Whitney’s PW2040 commercial engine, which powers the Boeing 757. With more than 50 million hours of proven military and commercial use, the F117/PW2037 has proven itself as a world-class, dependable engine. Pratt & Whitney’s ongoing investment in product improvements has enabled the engine to continuously surpass established goals for time on wing, in-flight shut downs and support-turnaround time.
Boeing has delivered 244 C-17s featuring F117 engines worldwide, including 28 to international customers. The U.S. Air Force – including active National Guard and Reserve units – has taken delivery of 216 C-17s. Other customers include the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force, the Qatar Emiri Air Force, the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations, and the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence.
