Pratt & Whitney has received a $6.8 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to extend its fleet management program for F100-PW-220E engines powering the Italian Air Force’s F-16 fighters. This 18-month contract represents the continued cooperation between the United States and Italy, and covers maintenance activities through 2012. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.

“We are proud of our eight-year history of achieving engine availability goals and supporting the flight operations in Italy, and look forward to our continued relationship with the Italian Air Force and U.S. Air Force,” said Mark Buongiorno, director of F100 Engine Programs and Customer Support, Pratt & Whitney. “The decision to continue with Pratt & Whitney clearly solidifies our position as a premier fleet management provider for military aircraft engine fleets around the globe.”

Under the terms of this contract extension, Pratt & Whitney will provide key support of the F100-PW-220E engines on the flight line, the intermediate engine shop, and at the depot level in partnership with the Italian Air Force. Material, technical support, maintenance, repair management and program management will be provided by a team of Pratt & Whitney employees located in Italy and the U.S.

“Pratt & Whitney is committed to producing the finest military engines with unmatched, affordable support, and we are confident the Italian Air Force will sustain high levels of operational readiness under this program,” said Buongiorno. “Our service programs portfolio includes many of our international and domestic F100 engine customers, and we look forward to continuing to serve these customers for the long-term.”

Pratt & Whitney’s F100, powering F-15 and F-16 aircraft worldwide, is one of the most successful fighter engines in history. The combat proven engine has more than 27 million engine flying hours of experience. More than 23 air forces around the world have chosen the F100 for safe, reliable power. Pratt & Whitney has built more than 7,000 F100 engines for customers around the globe.

Pratt & Whitney press release