StandardAero Delivers 1,000th J85-5 Engine to U.S. Air Force

Serviced at Port San Antonio facility, J85-5 engines power a critical platform used to train fighter pilots for the U.S. Air Force

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--StandardAero (NYSE: SARO), a leading independent pure-play provider of aerospace engine aftermarket services including engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and engine component repair, today announced the delivery of its 1,000th GE Aerospace J85-5 engine to the United States Air Force (USAF), marking a significant milestone in support of the T-38 Talon trainer aircraft fleet.

This achievement comes just five years after StandardAero commenced work under the multi-year Engine Regional Repair Center contract with the USAF. The J85-5 engine powers the T-38 Talon, a critical platform used to train fighter pilots for the USAF and allied nations. The J85-5 engine is one of several platforms on which StandardAero delivers comprehensive MRO solutions supporting mission-critical operations for government and military customers worldwide.

The J85 was originally designed in 1954 and is expected to power U.S. Military aircraft until 2040 and beyond. In addition to the T-38 Talon, the powerplant has been used for diverse military applications spanning the GAM-72 Green Quail missile decoy installed in the Boeing B-52 bomber, and the N156F Freedom Fighter (designated the F-5). The J85-powered F-5 has become a successful aircraft globally. In addition, the CJ610 is a commercial variant of the J85 that powered the Lear Jet launched in 1963.

To commemorate the 1,000^th engine delivery milestone, StandardAero hosted a ceremony at the Tech Port Center in Port San Antonio, led by J85-5 Program Manager Greg “Chappy” Chapman. The event was attended by members of the J85-5 production team, support organizations, and distinguished guests.

“Supporting the USAF pilot training mission is a tremendous honor,” said Rick Pataky, Vice President and General Manager of StandardAero’s Military Division in San Antonio. “Delivering 1,000 engines in such a short timeframe is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of our entire team.”

Marc Drobny, President of StandardAero’s Military, Helicopter, and Energy Division added: “This milestone reflects the strength of our partnership with the USAF Propulsion Program Office, Air Education and Training Command, and the 448th Supply Chain Management Wing. Together, we’ve built a resilient and transparent value chain that supports the entire J85-5 fleet, flight line and national security.”

All J85-5 engines are serviced exclusively at StandardAero’s Port San Antonio facility, which spans more than 810,000 square feet and supports five major engine MRO programs for both military and commercial customers. The site also hosts StandardAero’s Aviation Mechanic Training Program, which trains over 200 mechanics annually. StandardAero’s Stockton, Calif., location services all other J85 engine variants, and it has been providing J85 accessories and component repair to the USAF J85 Management of Items Subject to Repair (MISTR) system since 2013. Additionally, the Stockton site provides J85-21 support to the United States Navy and to countries in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

In addition to its military programs, StandardAero also provides support for the next-generation CFM International LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engine as a CFM LEAP Premier MRO provider from its San Antonio facility. The site began accepting LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engine inductions in March 2024 and has since accelerated its ramp-up to full operational scale, supporting global operators with enhanced throughput and efficiency.

StandardAero is a leading independent pure-play provider of aerospace engine aftermarket services for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, serving the commercial, military and business aviation end markets. StandardAero provides a comprehensive suite of critical, value-added aftermarket solutions, including engine maintenance, repair and overhaul, engine component repair, on-wing and field service support, asset management and engineering solutions. StandardAero is an NYSE listed company under the ticker symbol SARO. For more information about StandardAero, go to www.standardaero.com.