Pratt lands $279M for Raptor engine spares

Pratt & Whitney Co. plants in East Hartford and Middletown will continue for another year and a half to churn out spare engines for the Air Force's F-22 Raptor warplane, thanks to a $279 million defense appropriation, authorities say.

Three members of Connecticut's congressional delegation gleefully broke news of the Air Force contract for 22 spare F-22 engines in a joint statement.

The contract expires in 2012, the Congressmen said.

"This is a good day for both the skilled workers at Pratt and Whitney and for the brave airmen who fly F-22 Raptor aircraft" said Sen. Joe Lieberman. "This contract will sustain jobs in East Hartford and Middletown while helping to spur Connecticut's economic recovery."