The Royal Moroccan Air Force unveiled the first 4 of 24 Pratt & Whitney-powered F-16 aircraft in a ceremony on August 4 at Ben Guerrir Air Base in Marrakech, Morocco.

Senior representatives from the Moroccan and U.S. governments and air forces were present for this historic event.

Pratt & Whitney's F100-PW-229 Engine Enhancement Package (EEP) will power the Royal Moroccan Air Force's new fleet of F-16 fighter jets.

"We are honored our new F100-PW-229 EEP engines are the exclusive power for the Royal Moroccan Air Force's new F-16 fighters," said Mark Buongiorno, Director of F100 Engine Programs, Pratt & Whitney. "We are grateful for the Royal Moroccan Air Force's confidence in our product, and we look forward to a long and successful relationship."

The F100-PW-229 EEP engine provides the Royal Moroccan Air Force a lower total cost of ownership and an outstanding record of safety. Incorporating the latest technologies, this propulsion system provides advanced, dependable power for F-16 fighter aircraft around the world. To date, the F100-PW-229 powered aircraft fleet has logged more than 2.7 million flight hours in more than 19 years of operational service.

The Royal Moroccan Air Force became the 22nd international customer to select the F100 engine family. The F100-PW-229 EEP is the latest evolution of the F100 family of fighter aircraft engines. Incorporation of the F100-PW-229 EEP increases the engine depot inspection interval from seven years to 10 years, providing up to a 30-percent life-cycle cost reduction over the life of the engine.

Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. company.