Pratt & Whitney today announced the F135 engine has cleared its third and final flight clearance review conducted by the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office. The successful four-day review examined every part and engine module to ensure the Pratt & Whitney engine is qualified for flight. This clears the way for the first flight of the F-35 Lightning II later this year. Pratt & Whitney is a unit of United Technologies Corp.

"This final review of the F135 is an important and significant milestone for Pratt & Whitney and the whole F-35 team," said Bill Gostic, vice president, F135 engine programs for Pratt & Whitney. "Joint Program Office certification is very important -- it means the F135 is ready to power the Lightning II's first flight."

Pratt & Whitney is the lead propulsion system supplier for the F-35 program. To date, the company has delivered three flight test engines, and the F135 will provide exclusive power for the F-35's first flights beginning with the Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) variant's initial flights later this year.

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