FAA Proposes $3.1 Million in Fines Against Boeing

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FAA Proposes $3.1 Million in Fines Against Boeing  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed civil penalties totaling $3,139,319 against The Boeing Company for multiple safety violations tied to its 737 production line. The fines stem from issues that occurred between September 2023 and February 2024, including events connected to the January 5, 2024, 737 MAX door plug blowout and interference with FAA safety oversight. Quality System Failures The FAA said it found “hundreds of quality system violations” at Boeing’s 737 factory in Renton, Washington, and at Spirit AeroSystems’ 737 facility in Wichita, Kansas. According to the agency, Boeing failed to comply with its mandated quality control system and even presented two aircraft as airworthy when they were not in conformity with FAA standards. “These lapses undermine the integrity of the aviation safety system,” the FAA said, noting that it exercised its maximum statutory civil penalty authority in the case. Pres...
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RTX’s Pratt & Whitney Secures $2.8 Billion Contract for F135 Engines

EAST HARTFORD, Conn.,  Pratt & Whitney, a business under RTX, has been awarded a $2.8 billion undefinitized contract action (UCA) to produce Lot 18 of F135 engines, the powerplant for all three variants of the F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation fighter jet.

The deal covers engines for the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL), carrier variant (CV), and short take-off/vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft operated by the United States and allied customers. In addition to production engines, the contract also includes spares, spare modules, tooling, program management, and engineering support.

Christopher K. Johnson, vice president of Pratt & Whitney’s F135 program, emphasized the engine’s role in ensuring operational success:

“The combat-proven F135 engine delivers the power, safety, reliability, and low-observability to ensure operators can accomplish their most critical missions. This contract will enable our team to continue providing this critical capability to help the U.S. and its allies maintain air superiority for decades to come.”

The F135 program represents a significant contribution to the U.S. economy, supporting over 67,000 domestic jobs across 240 suppliers and adding more than $9.1 billion in 2024 alone. Pratt & Whitney has already delivered more than 1,300 F135 engines to a global network spanning 20 allied nations.

RTX, the parent company of Pratt & Whitney, is the world’s largest aerospace and defense firm with more than 185,000 employees worldwide. In 2024, it reported sales exceeding $80 billion, with operations spanning Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon.

Impact

The award strengthens the long-term sustainment of the F-35 program, ensuring continued production and global support for one of the most advanced combat aircraft in service today. With the F-35 fleet expected to grow, demand for F135 engines and related support will remain a cornerstone of allied airpower.

A Pratt & Whitney F135 engine.






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