F-16 Fighting Falcon News

June 16, 2009 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Pratt & Whitney has delivered the first 6,000 cycle production hardware for assembly of the F100-PW-229 engine enhancement package (EEP).
The Pratt & Whitney F100 is an afterburning turbofan engine which powers the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The F100-PW-229 EEP was created to dramatically decrease the cost of engine ownership without costly upgrade kits that significantly impact engine configuration. This was accomplished by inserting fifth generation fighter engine technologies from the F119 engine powering the F-22 and F135 engine powering the F-35. This increased the engine depot inspection interval from 4,300 to 6,000 cycles and improved the durability of key components while maintaining the 29,100 pound thrust rating.

The inspection interval increase extends the amount of time between scheduled depot maintenance from an average of seven to nine years to more than 10 to 14 years, depending on utilization rates. This increase is expected to reduce life cycle costs by 30 percent over the life of the engine. The F100-PW-229 EEP continues to be the only fighter engine qualified by the U.S. Air Force to 6,000 cycle capability.

The F100-PW-229 EEP represents the latest evolution in the F100 series of engines, recognized worldwide for its safety, reliability and cost effective operation. Pratt & Whitney offers its customers the ability to purchase the F100-PW-229 EEP as a complete engine or as an engine assembly kit. The engine enhancement package can also be incorporated into existing F100-PW-229 engines during scheduled depot maintenance.

Initial F100-PW-229 EEP engine deliveries for Republic of Korea F-15 aircraft will begin in 2009 and for Pakistan F-16 aircraft in 2010. Morocco has also selected the F100-PW-229 EEP engines for installation in its F-16 aircraft with anticipated delivery starting in 2010.