Pratt & Whitney J57 Turbojet. The J57 turbojet was the first production jet engine to produce 10,000 pounds of thrust. The J57 featured a dual-rotor axial-flow compressor, which lowered fuel consumption over a wide operating range and improved the sluggish acceleration characteristic of previous jet engines. J57 production began in 1953. The same year, Pratt & Whitney was awarded America's highest aviation honor, the Collier Trophy, for the design and development of the J57. When production ended in 1970, Pratt & Whitney had built more than 21,000 engines.