American aeroengine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corporation, has delivered the first four F117 engines for the Indian Air Force to power its fleet of Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft.
In a $4.1-billion deal in mid-2011, India's Ministry of Defence had signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance with the US government in a foreign military sale 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 the firm's Bev Deachin, vice president, Military Programs and Customer Support.
"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 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 military and commercial use, the F117/PW2037 is 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, according to the company.
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, and 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.
Pratt & Whitney designs, manufactures and services of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Connecticut, is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.
India plans to base its C-17 fleet at the Hindon air base in Ghaziabad which is within the national capital region. |