Pratt & Whitney, a business unit of RTX, has awarded Georgia-based aerospace company Hermeus a production license to manufacture F100-PW-229 fighter aircraft engines. The agreement marks the first time that an independent US company has received authorization to produce this particular fighter engine. The arrangement creates an additional domestic production source for the F100-PW-229 and is intended to help expand engine output for the US military. The additional capacity is particularly relevant to aircraft such as the F-15 and F-16, which use the powerplant and continue to generate demand for replacement and new engines. Under the agreement, Hermeus plans to assemble the engines using its rapid-build manufacturing approach. The company intends for the production capability to contribute to the wider US defence industrial base while also supporting development of its own high-speed unmanned aircraft programme, Quarterhorse. The F100-PW-229 technology will also contribute to Hermeus’ Chimera propulsion architecture. Chimera is a hybrid propulsion system being developed with the eventual objective of enabling hypersonic flight. Initial engine manufacturing will take place at Hermeus’ existing facilities in Georgia. The company plans to move toward full-scale production as future customer requirements and demand develop.
