StandardAero has delivered its 1,000th GE Aerospace J85-5 engine to the United States Air Force (USAF), marking a significant milestone under its multi-year Engine Regional Repair Center contract. This achievement, completed just five years after the contract began, underscores the company’s critical role in supporting the T-38 Talon trainer aircraft fleet, which is essential for training USAF and allied fighter pilots.
The J85-5 engine is a cornerstone of military aviation. Originally designed in the 1950s, the versatile J85 platform is expected to remain in service beyond 2040. It has powered diverse applications from the F-5 fighter jet to the GAM-72 Green Quail decoy. StandardAero provides comprehensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for this mission-critical powerplant, ensuring fleet readiness and national security.
To commemorate the 1,000th engine delivery, a ceremony was held at StandardAero’s Port San Antonio facility. The event, led by J85-5 Program Manager Greg “Chappy” Chapman, included the production team and distinguished guests. Company leaders highlighted the milestone as a testament to a resilient and transparent value chain built on strong partnerships with the USAF Propulsion Program Office, Air Education and Training Command, and the 448th Supply Chain Management Wing.
All J85-5 engine MRO is performed exclusively at the extensive 810,000-square-foot Port San Antonio facility, which also hosts an Aviation Mechanic Training Program. Other J85 engine variants are serviced at StandardAero’s Stockton, California, location, which has provided component repair support to the USAF since 2013 and also supports the United States Navy and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
Beyond its military programs, StandardAero’s San Antonio facility is also a CFM LEAP Premier MRO provider, having begun inductions for the next-generation LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines in 2024 to support global commercial operators.
