Pratt & Whitney announced yesterday that its JSF119 propulsion system has been installed by the Smithsonian Institution at the National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. The JSF119 propulsion system was the power behind Lockheed Martin’s X-35B, the precursor to the F-35B, that flew in 2001. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.

Visitors to the museum, located adjacent to Washington-Dulles International Airport, will now be able to view the innovative Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL) propulsion system that powered Lockheed Martin’s X-35B test aircraft, which is also on display.

“Pratt & Whitney joins its government and industry partners in celebrating the accomplishments of the X-35B project at today’s unveiling of the JSF119 installation at the National Air and Space Museum,” said Warren Boley, president, Military Engines, Pratt & Whitney. “This aircraft and its propulsion system proved that vertical flight could be an effective component of a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet.”

Outstanding performance of this airplane and its propulsion system ultimately led to selection of the Lockheed Martin-led team by the U.S. Department of Defense for its tri-service Joint Strike Fighter. The program, now designated F-35 Lightning II, features the F-35A Conventional Takeoff and Landing, F-35B STOVL and F-35C Carrier Variant aircraft, all powered by the Pratt & Whitney F135 propulsion system.

Pratt & Whitney has designed, developed and tested the F135 to deliver the most advanced fifth-generation fighter engine for the United States and its allies around the world. The F135 is derived from the F119 powering the F-22. It has powered all 828 F-35 flight tests, including 86 vertical landings in the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) configuration.

Pratt & Whitney press release