Larson, DeLauro Applaud $240 Million Contract to Advance F135 Modernization at Pratt & Whitney

September 2, 2026 Press Release Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) , Chair of the Bipartisan Joint Strike Fighter Caucus, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) , Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, applauded a $240 million contract modification for Pratt & Whitney to advance the F135 Engine Core Upgrade program to the engineering and manufacturing development phase. This contract award will support work in East Hartford, Middletown, and Windsor Locks. “It was only two years ago that we rallied lawmakers, industry leaders, and machinists to defeat a costly alternative engine that would have uprooted thousands of Connecticut jobs and devastated our state’s manufacturing supply chain,” said Larson and DeLauro. “This investment makes good on the promise of the legislation we passed to ensure the next generation of the F135 engine is developed and built by Connecticut workers. Our delegation will continue to work together to support the hard-working machinists and engineers who call our state home—and deliver the best possible equipment to our Armed Forces and allies across the globe.” Larson and DeLauro led passage of legislation in 2024 to fully fund F135 engine modernization and ensure no federal funds will be used to integrate an alternative engine, achieving a nearly three-decade goal to secure Pratt and Whitney as the sole supplier of engines for the F-35. In 2026 alone, the Connecticut delegation has announced $4.7 billion in new contracts for engine manufacturing at Pratt & Whitney, which employs 11,000 workers, and supports 21,000 jobs across the state, both at Pratt and across the engine supply chain. Issues : Connecticut Manufacturing Connecticut’s Defense Industry Defense Delivering for Connecticut’s First District Grants Labor Securing Federal Funding