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Pratt & Whitney protests F-15EX engine procurement

By Pat Host |

Pratt & Whitney is protesting the US Air Force’s (USAF’s) intention to sole source General Electric (GE) F110 engines for its Boeing F-15EX Advanced Eagle fighter aircraft, Jane’s has learned.

The bid protest was filed on 7 February with the US Government Accountability Office (GAO). A decision is due no later than 18 May.

The General Electric F110-GE-129 engine that the US Air Force wants to power the Boeing F-15EX Advanced Eagle. (General Electric)

The General Electric F110-GE-129 engine that the US Air Force wants to power the Boeing F-15EX Advanced Eagle. (General Electric)

The USAF on 23 January announced its intent to sole source the GE F110. The service plans to acquire as many as 480 F110 engines, engine monitoring system computers, integrated logistics support, support equipment, and tooling. The F110 is found in new model F-15s including the F-15SA procured by Saudi Arabia.

The contract awards and orders were expected to begin in May. Pratt & Whitney and USAF did not return requests for comment prior to publication.

The USAF said in its announcement posted on the US federal contracting website beta.sam.gov that the F-15EX requires a propulsion system to support its Rapid Fielding Program, which is intended to refresh and replace ageing F-15C/D aircraft. The F-15EX, the announcement said, requires delivery of a propulsion system certified for installation in the platform, including integration with the fly-by-wire flight control system.

A source familiar with the sale told Jane’s

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