Pratt & Whitney and Seven Q Seven Sign Contract with Northrop Grumman to Re-engine the U.S. Air Force Joint STARS Fleet

EAST HARTFORD, Conn.– Pratt & Whitney, in a joint venture with Seven Q Seven, has signed a $210 million contract with Northrop Grumman to initiate the re-engining of the U.S. Air Force’s fleet of Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) aircraft. Production of the JT8D-219 propulsion system will begin in 2010. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.

Pratt & Whitney’s JT8D-219 is a derivative of one of the world’s most popular commercial jet engines. Commercial, FAA-certified JT8D-200 series propulsion systems are currently operating on Boeing 727 and MD80 aircraft.

“The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman’s selection of the JT8D-219 propulsion system demonstrates confidence in our product and our team,” said Brett Rhodes, director, Domestic Business Development, Pratt & Whitney Military Engines. “We look forward to providing them with more powerful, dependable engines.”


The JT8D-219 Joint STARS configuration offers a cost-effective, simplified installation approach. This fuel-efficient power system affords a 20-percent fuel burn improvement, which will increase the Joint STARS time on-station in its surveillance orbit. Powered by Pratt & Whitney engines, the U.S. Air Force’s Joint STARS aircraft are projected to be in service for another 20 years or more.

Pratt & Whitney will be responsible for delivering the JT8D-219 engines and Seven Q Seven will supply the propulsion nacelle system, which includes the struts, cowl doors, inlets, reversers, and systems, in collaboration with its key suppliers: Goodrich Corporation’s Aerostructures team and The Nordam Group.

Pratt & Whitney military engines include the F100 family that powers the F-15 and F-16, the F119 for the F-22 Raptor, the F135 for the F-35 Lightning II, the F117 for the C-17 Globemaster III, the J52 for the EA-6B Prowler, the TF33 powering AWACS/Joint STARS/B-52/KC-135 aircraft, and TF30 for the F-111. In addition, Pratt & Whitney offers a global network of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and military aftermarket services (MAS) focused on maintaining engine readiness for our customers.