How The World's Most Powerful Fighter Jet Engine Is Made

This is how the world's most technologically advanced fighter jet engine is made for the F-35 Lightning II. From its incredible speed to its stealth design, learn how this engine allows the aircraft to stay ahead of the game. Join me as I explore the power of the Pratt & Whitney F135!
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Huge thanks to Pratt & Whitney for sponsoring this video and making it possible!
THE DREAM TEAM:
Head of Production: Chance Saechao / ckstudiio
Creative Director: Washington Chua / washingtonchua
Management: Ken Kaczmarek | [e-mail]
VIDEO CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction
1:04 Background & History
1:57 Chief Engineer
2:46 High-Pressure Compressor Assembly
3:28 Core Assembly
3:38 F-22 vs F-35
4:14 F-35 Variants
4:35 STOVL Variant
5:25 Vertical Assembly
5:44 Foreign Object Debris
6:06 Smart Kit
7:01 Stealth Characteristics
8:05 Final Assembly
9:02 Engine Test
14:40 Pack Line
15:06 Future of the F135
16:45 Conclusion
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Email: ✉️
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[@spdcrzy]

It's both very telling (and also very hilarious) how the chief engineer was able to talk a lot without actually saying anything at all. It takes some serious training.

[@thatyoutubeguy7583]

Well it’s not like he can

[@user-zu6wg9wt8m]

ikr and he stays super serious its insane doesnt leak a drop

[@Jake-pc4fd]

Yes! He literally didn’t say anything, but was also saying a bunch of stuff 😂

[@ekojar3047]

It sounds like we're all good hands to me haha! He did great!

[@wakeuphatedotcom]

I can’t imagine anyone or anything in this video said or shot anything that wasn’t scripted out and approved beforehand at this level of security.

[@weeguy52]

China is watching this video, no doubt😅

[@sweatybotfn9982]

They don’t have to. The WS-15 is already the new “best engine”

[@weeguy52]

@sweatybotfn9982 i doubt that as anything and everything china makes is stolen from other nations (mainly the west), so it is really just a cheap knock-off and I've heard that china has a common problem in all its engines and that is endurance They don't last as long(especially when they're pushed to the max) so they need more maintenance and repairs compared to there western counterparts

[@Wire_Mesh_Police]

@@sweatybotfn9982China is a paper tiger, the entire military is a joke

[@joshlewis5065]

​@@sweatybotfn9982made with the highest grade chinesium

[@ethanmartinez808]

​@@joshlewis5065chinesium 😂😂😂😂

[@jrex9197]

Proud to say I work for one of the many subcontractors that make components for this engine. Awesome to see the finished product

[@MarcusWolfWanders]

Hot section blades and vanes for the core here :) proud as can be to be part of the process of making such amazing machines!

[@mrspecs9211]

@@johnnygotti1568haven’t u got stolen blackhawks to fly 😂

[@ramsanodiya5454]

Chinese govt wants to know your location.

[@Alex1611AD]

​@@ramsanodiya5454my exact thought lol

[@Dell-ol6hb]

only took 2 trillion USD

[@flyboy38a]

Jet engine response time has sure come a long way since my carrier landing training days in the T-2C. Back then you had to move the throttle in response to where you want the power level to be in about 1 to 2 seconds in the future. That made it fun trying to stay on the targeted glide slop to hit the designated wire.

[@eskees9498]

Thats awesome. So you were a navy pilot?

[@flyboy38a]

Yes. I flew the E-2C Hawkeye while in the fleet during Desert Shield and Storm as well as the food drops in Bosnia. @@eskees9498

[@Ripa-Moramee]

Carrier landings are terrifying.

[@gigachad7683]

Creating a jet engine is truly an art, one of the greatest accomplishments humanity has achieved.

[@svience8072]

The engineering is truly inspiring! Amazing work from Pratt and Whitney as always!

[@ryancoverstone6283]

So pumped, I build these! (well, I’m the FPI/NDT guy on these engines) I love everything about our F135 engine

[@cullensmith6275]

Gonna recreate at my house

[@Roboseal2]

I always watch the blue wrapped engines get delivered on the trucks as they pass by in Middletown.

[@phil_alexdunphy4735]

Chinese Government would like to have a few words with you.

[@williamzaparolli8874]

Why was he so excited about a torque wrench

[@Kyle-xt8ip]

Ndt Ut here.

[@chrisbreezy-ryanbarbosa4320]

Often the pilots get the credit as they should but we never get to see the guys who actually build and assemble these machines, who are equally as responsible for these beasts that protect our airspace. Thanks to all of them!

[@tappajaav]

Like a F1 driver, every one of them has tens, if not hundreds, of people behind them directly and indirectly responsible for the design, manufacturing, assembly and maintenance of their race machine

[@Military_Archive]

Very insightful. Thank you for your content👍

[@JesseJames-kv7xc]

i love your channel.

[@Roboseal2]

Dude I live 3 miles away from where they test those and jeez those things are loud as hell! ( can hear the roar if I listen closely sometimes ) That’s true Pratt power right there. 💪🇺🇸 Side note: They must have hired this guy because there is no way they would show this to other outsiders.

[@lafosh7234]

Military Contractors when they do open doors have multiple security checks before releasing…most things

[@jimk8520]

⁠@@lafosh7234You’re correct. The Contractor decided they needed to release a “love me” story and then chose Sam (and likely a few others) to do the story. They then certainly gave him the questions they wanted him to ask and reviewed all of the video he was allowed to take. This was totally a P&W promotional video.

[@jlehm]

@@jimk8520they most definitely did not give him those questions. They didn’t truly answer most of his questions and gave super obscure answers. I’m sure P&W screened the Qs, but they didn’t supply them.

[@jimk8520]

@@jlehm Sure, they most definitely did not give him a script to follow but they most definitely did supply talking points and suggested questions. This is common practice even in the civilian world.

[@jlehm]

@@jimk8520 you can tell by their answers that they did not tell him to ask about what makes it “stealthy” or how the core upgrade will benefit the pilot by their answers.

[@chrisworthen1538]

I miss my time in the industry. P&W was our single largest customer. I was involved back in the F-100 engine days. I can't tell how many tons of titanium, Hastelloy and Waspelloy I must have handled over the years.

[@ZacharyHarpel]

Awesome video Sam! Thanks for taking the time to show us the awesome stuff you live through!

[@SamEckholm]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@surojeetchatterji9966]

​@@SamEckholm Enjoyed the content from India. Looks like we need PW engines for our India made jets instead of GE, particularly for single engine medium category Jets.

[@superskullmaster]

@@surojeetchatterji9966make your own engines. You will be so much more proud.

[@surojeetchatterji9966]

@@superskullmaster do u understand how much mettelurgy skill & years needs to be given for a basic engine? This is a top notch engine with top notch mettelurgy skills. We have our own engine but its underpowered.

[@tylermiller8142]

@@surojeetchatterji9966I’ve worked on both. They both have their advantages / disadvantages

[@noisyboy87]

We are super proud to have you guys as our closest allies and partners. An American power plant matted to a British lift fan. It doesn’t get much better than that! From your friends across the pond, we salute you 🇺🇸 🫡 🇬🇧

[@SamEckholm]

Can't wait to show you an up close look at the world's most advanced fighter jet engine! What's your favorite aircraft engine of all time?

[@ilanaeliav3092]

Wooooo

[@user-ty9wx6pc6u]

I’m so so hyped Sam can’t wait

[@markgeorge2200]

The f 16 😏

[@Dlmoxpro]

The french rafale@@markgeorge2200

[@Dlmoxpro]

The french rafale

[@kindnuguz]

good on the production grew to blur out the background while they walk. Also it's awesome Sam can do these things when we all know these areas are restricted access F35 is the new F16 for the next several decades Thank you to EVERYONE at Pratt & Whitney for everything you do

[@TheBongReyes]

I’ve always been amazed at the innovation of P&W, General Dynamics & Rolls Royce aircraft engine engineering. Gold standards of the world.

[@augl2702]

Awesome episode, Sam. P&W are incredible at what they do. Extremely jealous you got to go full burn in an F-35. Technically. 😉

[@SamEckholm]

It was pretty sweet!

[@VincentHondius]

They're absolutely terrible compared to LEAP. As an aircraft technician I notice the difference quite well@@ryancoverstone6283

[@ekojar3047]

I wonder how many times sam got tackled during this haha. It's like a kid in a candy store when you see all this aviation engineering and just how perfectly orchestrated the whole place is. It's like the wonka factory for lovers of engines and speed and efficiency. What a cool walk through!

[@TRAVELLORABROAD]

As always Sam, informative , interesting and a lil bit more for all us geeks. You looked super pleased to be able to have a go as well!!

[@wilsonrawlin8547]

Did not realize just how big the engine is in real life. Awesome program. Took a long time, but it turned into a super tech production program.

[@SKL051]

This video was like a gift to me. Great channel. Thank you Sam!

[@noobstertontropolisburgpoi8096]

Man, your videos have such practical quality! I think it'd be a blast to work for Pratt & Whitney. Did you happen to ask them why they don't just incorporate a retractable FOD screen on their engines? That would make a lot of places accessible for our aircrafts in terms of take off and landing. You should do GE next and get a look-see at their adaptive cycle engine.

[@superskullmaster]

I can answer this. As far as turbofan/turbojet engines in general, adding a mesh in the inlet severely reduces performance. This is not as big of an issue on helicopters where ram recovery is not even a consideration. Speaking of stealth, anything in the inlet is a radar cross section that you don’t want and any unnecessary moving parts is weight you can’t get rid of which decreases payload.

[@264aub]

as someone who is an engineer at pratt and whitney, i can attest to say that it is fun!

[@zapfanzapfan]

There were retractable FOD screens on a jet engine from the late 1940s, I have not seen them on any engines since.

[@ImARealHumanPerson]

This is such a great channel. The F-35 and F-117 Nighthawk have been my favorite for years. It was cool to see this one.

[@LordVader5738]

Happy you got a chance to see our Middletown facility! I love how PW has been partnering with KZbinrs to show the world what we do 😃

[@tommygogetter5992]

It’s more efficient than career fairs

[@mikefm4]

Had to be awesome getting invited to do this. You’ve earned the respect of the big timers

[@Tidyguy]

@3:20 My man Brent has definitley polished his head for this video. Super shiny.

[@jakemarcus9999]

That factory is like it’s from a science fiction movie

[@Aviation_Xplained]

I'M SO EXCITED! SAM I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS AND HAVE BEEN A FAN FOR AGES! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK MAN! 👍

[@bostonrocks2075]

At Pratt & Whitney, defending freedom is in our DNA 💪 #WeArePW

[@thehonestdoctor3590]

Or simping for The New World Order! 😂😂😂 As the MIC invades countries around the world.

[@rafiahmed7694]

lol

[@djpaintles]

I was impressed at how absolutely Spotless this and the F-35 Factory in Ft Worth were. The assembly Kits seemed like a great idea too!

[@ParamountRoyals]

A lot of ingenuity, some good machine and good people... greatest quote of all time 🙏💎

[@richs6205]

Sam your videos never disappoint, very informative and well presented.

[@SamEckholm]

I appreciate that!

[@CesarDelgado-fu2nd]

​@@SamEckholm my favorite engine is fa 18 super hornet😊

[@alext6933]

I can't believe you got Vin Diesel for this

[@Balafoutre]

OMG!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS UTTERLY AMAZING!!!!!!! Congrats to all, HUGE RESPECT...

[@stuartrollings602]

Amazing tech and people…thanks for sharing!

[@jyothisjenu6477]

The Chinese and Russians during this video: “Write that down, write that down!”

[@rayreyes977]

i was looking for this comment lol

[@davidwolf226]

Another excellent overview, Sam!

[@SamEckholm]

Thank you!

[@DarrenEdwardsAviation]

Another awesome video from you Sam.

[@3ligijus]

I'm so happy that I found this channel !

[@BelugaVR1]

This is so amazing!!! The testing part was so cool

[@engi_games]

“powering freedom” has me on the floor😂😂

[@xTheUnderscorex]

The USA really is a parody of itself sometimes

[@cobra28373]

Well it's a private company

[@Watchmedome3017]

That was sick! The engines seem so futuristic 🔥

[@loadingnewads]

I am now sure to say half of the appeal these jets have come from the afterburner beautiful!

[@Human_121]

Bro's head is more brighter than my future.

[@Cliffhanger437]

Master piece of engineering. I wish our country could produce such thing one day.

[@tappajaav]

Why? Wouldn't you rather hope to have produced something that has civil applications(read: actually useful)?

[@stighenningjohansen]

Norway has some F35s, and they fly in the sky here sometimes, with a terrible noise :) You can feel they are powerful! Nice

[@johnmiller1921]

this guy is really making the best aviation videos I've ever seen

[@user-rz4pe9xt9g]

한국 중학생으로써 한국에서 당신을 구독하고 영상을 보고 있는데 저도 당신과 같은 유튜브채널을 만들고 싶내요 한국인으로써 존경합니다

[@XYZ0906]

😊😅😊😊😊😊

[@mubianamusole1838]

You should have asked more about that torque wrench, I would have loved to know what makes that one different and special

[@SamEckholm]

I know! It’s pretty sweet.

[@mubianamusole1838]

@@SamEckholm yeah, I still love your videos keep them coming 💪

[@Robhr8]

Accountability. It records the torque value electronically to our database. You can't proceed otherwise.

[@chrissmith7669]

The mechanics don’t need to worry about calibration dates or recording SN to tech data.

[@pvolkspvolks]

I think the chief engineer's scalp scatters not just light but Radar aswell. Definitely the man for the job!

[@traxxastrickstt8409]

Cool Video, thanks for the teaching

[@ruger8412]

The F-14 Tomcat had 2 P&W jet engines "TF-30" & the F-111 too.

[@danielroncaioli6882]

Only the F-14A had Pratt F-100 engines. The Bs and Ds had GE plants.

[@ThamMalaysia]

The TF30-P-414A is a junk engine. Killed countless pilots, including Kara Hultgreen.

[@noximustheomnipotent]

What is that white fluid they are spaying for the flame in the test tube?

[@ImARealHumanPerson]

Water

[@ImARealHumanPerson]

They do the same thing underneath rocket launches.

[@noximustheomnipotent]

why?@@ImARealHumanPerson

[@Pman353]

@@noximustheomnipotentit dampens the noise and reduces exhaust temperature!

[@Berm_Blaster]

The way the parts are layed out and organized satisfies my OCD so freakin much 😍

[@BaMFusco]

Wow I’m born and raised here in CT and I never realized these engines were built in CT! I knew about Sikorsky being here but not this. Super cool!!

[@04iscool73]

Can not wait

[@matthewriak1813]

I'm starting work at this facility on the compression systems team in February, so excited!!

[@finnadekeditz]

awesome work sam!

[@Calebs_Aviation]

EXCEPTIONAL VIDEO SAM! Just loved it my friend so so cool! 😎 However I only wish the F-35 Lightning II ⚡️ 🛩️ for all its advances had finished on schedule or on budget 💸🤑but as an American 🇺🇸 used to American defense and military projects it doesn’t shock me anymore! 😂😂 sadly 😢 Cheers 🥂 brother 😎 LOVED IT however the F-15EX is still my favorite new fighter and a phenomenal advancement in engineering and technology today even more than the F-35 I think! 😊Also now I hope that the F-35 is past its troubles it goes on to become the next F-15 Eagle type fighter jet. However the F-15EX variant is still my favorite and it will become more of a best selling most successful per mission fighter EVER MADE I hope the F-15EX can shatter the original F-15 record! Caleb’s Aviation 😊

[@LRRPFco52]

There isn't any technology on F-15EX newer than F-35. Engines, Radar, cockpits, airframe, flight control system, and subsystems are generations behind. This F135 motor is decades more advanced than F110s. F-35's APG-81 is fused with an RF antennae suite distributed all over the airframe like a spy plane, as well as 7 different IR sensors. F-35 flight control system is fiber-optic with self-contained electrohydrostatic actuators. F-15EX still has hydraulic lines and actuators, though it does have a modernized DFLCS with excellent control logic. Man Machine Interface is superior in the F-35 due to minimal switches and buttons, with the HMDS and PCD.

[@Jimmerca]

American ingenuity at its finest. Sam, thanks for taking us along you're the best.👍🏻🇺🇸👍🏻

[@allans7281]

Great video I didn’t know Chris Daughtry also works with the military lol

[@djd9295]

This comment will get 0 likes do NOT prove me wrong

[@happykillmore349]

Just like your chances of making a woman orgasm

[@lachennis24]

Well… that failed

[@twixxtro]

task failed successfully

[@mohamadalakhras9750]

I gave it a dislike

[@trystanrodriguez8750]

@@twixxtrowrong! Mission failed successfully

[@rakxk]

You will never know why this comment has 73 likes

[@_Suitz]

Nga shut up

[@user-gu6ou8cp1w]

​@@_Suitzyooo Dude calm down

[@_Suitz]

@@user-gu6ou8cp1w shut up lil nga for i i come to yo crib and use my sigma rizz.

[@guyfromfuture1918]

​@@_Suitzdamn chill

[@robertrivera9071]

44

[@brendansailer6413]

Well spoken guests - I'm impressed

[@cerberes]

What a clean and organised facility.

[@johnm3850]

This like building a Nitro fuel dragster like every part is perfect and even polished or built for speed sure must be a dream come ture to pilot these F135 planes.

[@josephpiskac2781]

Your appearance gets better and better. Great work always improve!

[@thespicemelange.1]

Yeah you should hear them testing those engines. Sometimes they do it late at night and it shakes your windows. I got to work at the Sikorski hanger and got to see them testing the helicopters, that was pretty cool.

[@TheRealNeill]

I was a technician on fighters in the Australian Air Force. I spent two years working purely on engines. It was fun :)

[@carminedauria-gupta2561]

Just started working here. Thanks for your video

[@nyansfen2328]

Hey what exactly is the job title? And how would I go about getting a job like this if you don’t mind me asking

[@eatcommies1375]

Another super interesting one, Subscribed👍

[@davidnguyen3363]

Amazing technology and engineering

[@dennisdrury-rg8ms]

I worked on the Phantom. The response time from say 50 percent to full AB seemed like it was almost instant.

[@FootstepstoFreedom495]

Thanks for interesting video about the F135 jet engine.

[@larz46north18]

HILL a.f.b. Salute 🐻

[@RupKBK]

Wonderful to have the opportunity to see such an engineering marvel.

[@user-yb1lh9nc3w]

I'm impressed you got clearance for that, everything seems to be so classified and national security related

[@StephenMediaWilm]

Are you doing this as part of the Air Force or is this just your personal channel. Your videos are amazing and it makes be wonder how you get access to this.

[@1956Johnk]

Memories. I worked at the East Hartford plant years ago.

[@ameljose9432]

Cool and informative video

[@thehobbyguy7089]

That was epic. getting to use that throttle is a 10-year-old's dream come true!

[@u9Nails]

Working not far from a Marine air base, I hear those monsters from miles away. They shake buildings and in general don't care if air wants to live peacefully. Such a beast.

[@EagleFighterJet]

Thank you for your content

[@dennisdebrix919]

P&W J58 has entered the chat.

[@Sm0kes]

Man… that guys head is shiny like a fresh polished shoe.

[@oneroadgoodwalk]

😂

[@ES-md1pm]

Great video! Impressive!

[@nathankaye1577]

I Love these story of videos. So entertaining and you learn alot.

[@chitraprasannaanbalagan5626]

Impressive engineering!!

[@sricharanbhat4227]

Very insightful 🚀

[@billbutler3578]

Very cool ii was an engineer at Pratt and Whitney

[@0bsidianPrime]

0:46 "Now *this* is podracing!" - Future Youngling Slayer.

[@schumy1975]

another great episode!!

[@nova_viper4985]

Even at riat when the f35 was hovering, u could FEEL IT it was so much more vibration than the motorbike that got me to the show, I would've loved to have seen and hear it at full afterburner cuz if it was powerful hovering, imagine what it could do at full throttle, shame it was bad weather

[@user-je7uf7jk8m]

That is soooo funny! Great job Max Keep it up!!!

[@user-hc8kt2nh2x]

Good job , sam!

[@HyperDevv]

Dude I live 3 miles away from where they test those and jeez those things are loud as hell! That’s true Pratt power right there. 💪🇺🇸 Side note: They must have hired this guy because there is no way they would show this to other outsiders.

[@Watermeloncat575]

The sharp edges on the 135s nozzle helps with stealth the same thing is done to all the opening parts of the f35s body

[@ErikPelyukhno]

I love so much that they literally do a vibe test on the engine 😂

[@pranavtripathi6336]

15:28 nice little teaser for the laser weapons they're gonna add to the fighter jets, I'm assuming it will enable the jets to directly fight back against missiles and such, rendering it immune to any threat in the off chance it ever even gets detected and locked on by enemy missiles

[@lingeshkirsh]

Dry thrust of F135 is 125 KN, INDIA's need is 110 KN of dry thrust. Hope it may happen in near future after collaboration with GE414 Engine deal

[@cengiz12345]

really amazing video thank you . i would like to continiusly such video