RTX's Pratt & Whitney Canada to maintain PW980 auxiliary power units for Emirates' Airbus A380 aircraft

Comprehensive agreement underpins A380's importance within Emirates fleet in coming decade

           Pratt & Whitney, an RTX  business, has signed a 10-year agreement with Emirates to maintain and support the airline's 116 PW980 auxiliary power units (APUs) on its Airbus A380 aircraft.

"The PW980 is the largest APU in commercial airline service, and we understand its importance to the dispatch availability of the Emirates' fleet of A380 aircraft," said Irene Makris, vice president of Customer Service at Pratt & Whitney Canada. "Our maintenance and support program for APUs is instrumental in providing timely and effective maintenance planning and support. This support agreement will help ensure the continued success of Emirates' A380 operation for years to come."

The PW980 APU is a two-shaft gas turbine engine specifically designed for the Airbus A380 wide-body jetliner. Pratt & Whitney Canada manufactures a comprehensive portfolio of APUs for both military and civil/commercial aircraft applications. Operated by more than 700 different operators worldwide, Pratt & Whitney Canada APUs help power over 7,000 aircraft in operation.

Since its founding in 1928, Pratt & Whitney Canada engines have flown one billion hours. Read more about Pratt & Whitney's history of innovation here.

Pratt & Whitney Canada names Duncan Aviation as Designated Overhaul Facility for Select PW300 and PW500 business aviation engines

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) announced today that Duncan Aviation's facility in Lincoln, Nebraska, has been appointed a Designated Overhaul Facility for the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of PW300 and PW500 turbofan engines that will become operational over the next two years. Pratt & Whitney is an RTX business.

"As our fleet of engines increases, we are taking proactive steps to ensure that we have fully operational MRO capabilities in place when and where our customers need them," said Irene Makris, vice president for Customer Service at Pratt & Whitney Canada. "Duncan Aviation has extensive experience in the line maintenance and hot section inspection of both our PW300 and PW500 engines. Stepping into the official MRO role for these two engine families is the logical extension of our long-standing relationship with their team."

"Our company was founded in 1956 and over the years we have expanded our business to offer a full portfolio of services to the business aviation community," said Jeff Lake, president, Duncan Aviation. "Our Lincoln team is delighted to provide MRO services to Pratt & Whitney Canada engine customers flying PW300 and PW500 engine models."

Pratt & Whitney Canada has an extensive global service network with a comprehensive MRO portfolio for Pratt & Whitney Canada engines. The breadth and depth of the company's expertise and its flexible maintenance programs and solutions give P&WC capabilities and scale to serve customers around the clock virtually anywhere in the world. The P&WC global service network consists of company-owned maintenance and MRO shops, Designated Maintenance Facilities which provide line maintenance and mobile repair team services, Designated Overhaul Facilities which provide MRO services, and Approved Repair Facilities which maintain auxiliary power units. These facilities number more than 50 and are strategically located in 25 countries.

Pratt & Whitney's first GTF engine induction at China Airlines

Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, announced this week that China Airlines has inducted its first Pratt & Whitney GTF engine. China Airlines joined the GTF MRO network in 2020, with its Engineering and Maintenance organization providing disassembly, assembly and test capability for the PW1100G-JM engine, the GTF model that powers Airbus A320neo family aircraft.

Pratt & Whitney and China Airlines Announce First GTF Engine Induction

In 2019, China Airlines selected the GTF engine to power 25 Airbus A321neo aircraft, along with an EngineWise® Maintenance long-term agreement for engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO). The airline currently operates 10 of these aircraft, with up to an additional 15 on order.

"With the induction of our first GTF engine, we continue to build upon our longstanding relationship with Pratt & Whitney," said Jung-Hui Lee, vice president at China Airlines, at the celebratory ceremony at its Taiwan-based facility today. "The GTF engine is one of the industry's most fuel-efficient engines and we're confident that it will pave the way towards a more sustainable future. We look forward to growing our capabilities with today's most advanced technology to be ready to meet the needs of current and future operators, many of them here in Asia."

"We are aggressively pursuing strategic collaborations to grow GTF MRO network capabilities," said Marc Meredith, vice president, GTF Engines Aftermarket at Pratt & Whitney. "Our relationship with China Airlines dates back more than six decades, when they began operating aircraft powered by our Twin Wasp engines."

In 2023, Pratt & Whitney announced three facility expansions and three shop activations across the GTF MRO network, which has more than doubled in size in four years. By 2025, the company expects to have 19 GTF MRO shops online. China Airlines marks the 14th active location and sixth in Asia-Pacific for PW1100G-JM overhaul overhaul, alongside Eagle Services Asia (ESA) in Singapore, IHI and MHI in Japan, and MTU Maintenance Zhuhai and Ameco Beijing in China.

RTX selected by Boeing for X-66A NASA Sustainable Flight Demonstrator Project

RTX has been selected by Boeing as a collaborator on the X-66A flight demonstrator, part of NASA's Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project. Two RTX business units, Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace, will support Boeing with Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines, and Collins nacelles and engine accessories. Pratt & Whitney and Collins will also support ground and flight tests, slated to start in 2028.

The Sustainable Flight Demonstrator is part of NASA's broader Sustainable Flight National Partnership, which is dedicated to developing the technologies needed to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions for commercial aviation. Boeing's X-66A program is focused on developing the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing (TTBW) concept, which could enable significant improvements in fuel efficiency and reduced emissions for next generation single-aisle aircraft.

"NASA's Sustainable Flight Demonstrator is a leading example of how public-private partnerships can help foster the technological breakthroughs needed to deliver on the industry-wide goal of a more sustainable, net-zero emissions future," said Geoff Hunt, senior vice president of Engineering & Technology at Pratt & Whitney. "We'll work with Boeing to apply GTF engines to the X-66A and help demonstrate the potential of its pioneering truss-braced wing design."

The GTF engine, with its revolutionary geared fan architecture, delivers industry-leading fuel efficiency and sustainability benefits for single-aisle aircraft. With up to 20% better fuel efficiency, GTF engines have helped airlines save more than 1.4 billion gallons of fuel and over 14 million metric tons of CO2 emissions since entering service in 2016. GTF engines are certified to operate with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and offer up to a 75% reduction in aircraft noise footprint compared to previous generation engines.

Pratt & Whitney to Expand GTF MRO Capacity in Singapore

MRO Asia Pacific -- Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, has just announced plans to increase the capacity of its Singapore engine centre, Eagle Services Asia (ESA). The 48,000-square-foot expansion will accommodate a two-thirds increase from current facility capacity.

Pratt & Whitney to Expand GTF MRO Capacity in Singapore

"Pratt & Whitney is investing globally to support the GTF fleet. As part of the expansion, we will increase staffing and provide extensive staff training so that we are well equipped to meet the increased demand," said Shangari Meleschi, vice president, Aftermarket Operations – Asia Pacific and Turkiye. "We are dedicated to maintaining our customers' trust as we work through the impacts of the GTF fleet management plan."

Eagle Services Asia inducted its first PW1100G-JM engine for overhaul in 2019. It is a joint venture between SIA Engineering Company and Pratt & Whitney and a member of the Pratt & Whitney GTF™ MRO network that comprises of the industry's leading MRO companies.

Since 2019, the GTF MRO network has more than doubled in size, and there are currently 13 active GTF MRO engine centers worldwide with an additional six expected to be online by 2025. The network is part of Pratt & Whitney EngineWise® solutions, which provide engine operators with a variety of aftermarket services resulting in long-term, sustainable value.

Pratt & Whitney's F135 engine receives full funding support from Senate Appropriations Committee

Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, continues to receive positive support for various F135-related program items on the path toward finalizing the 2024 appropriations bill. On July 27, the Senate Appropriations Committee, led by Chairman Jon Tester (D-MT) and Ranking Member Susan Collins (R-ME), passed a bipartisan bill that included:

Pratt & Whitney's F135 Engine Core Upgrade work continues to receive Congressional support with the Senate Appropriations Committee passing a bipartisan bill that includes $497 million for the modernization effort as well as additional funds for engine spares and repair parts.

$497 million for the development of the F135 engine core upgrade (ECU), the DoD's chosen F-35 engine modernization effort.

$264 million above the President's budget request for F135 engine spares and repair parts.

A prohibition against integrating any alternate engine on any F-35 variant.

$280 million for the development of future engine technology that could be used on 6th generation tactical aircraft.

"I want to personally thank Senators Tester and Collins for their leadership on this effort, because it's essential to ensuring our limited DoD funds go to the most urgent, high-priority needs," said Jeff Shockey, senior vice president of RTX Global Government Relations. "I also want to express my gratitude to the Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and the entire Connecticut and Maine delegations for their support and advocacy."

Pratt & Whitney celebrate over 400 PT6 E-Series engine family deliveries, surpassing 100,000 flying hours

Pratt & Whitney Canada, a business unit of Pratt & Whitney, announced today that it has delivered over 400 PT6 E-Series™ engines, with the fleet now having flown more than 100,000 hours worldwide. Building on the legacy of the iconic PT6 engine family, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, the PT6 E-Series has raised the bar on engine performance, control systems, data intelligence and service solutions. The PT6E-67XP powers the Pilatus PC-12 NGX and the PT6E-66XT powers Daher’s TBM 960 – both are single-engine turboprops.

“The PT6 E-Series embodies our commitment to propelling innovation and enhancing our technology to deliver greater value to our customers and support their continued success,” said Nicholas Kanellias, vice president, General Aviation, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “With its optimal combination of precision, performance and efficiency, it offers an elevated flying experience and sets a new standard for general aviation, supported by comprehensive engine maintenance coverage through our premium maintenance plans.”

The PT6 E-Series is the first engine family in the general aviation turboprop market with a dual-channel integrated electronic propeller and engine control system. The digital capabilities of the PT6 E-Series enable single-power lever engine control, leading to a more intuitive pilot experience.

Pratt & Whitney Expands P&WCSMART™ Portfolio for PT6A-34AG Engines

Pratt & Whitney Expands P&WCSMART Portfolio

for PT6A-34AG Engines

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC), a business unit of Pratt & Whitney, announced this week, that it has added three new P&WCSMART offerings designed specifically for PT6A-34AG operators: Flat Rate Overhaul Program, Propeller Strike Repair Program and Flat Rate Engine Exchange. These additions will better support customers by providing fixed costs for major engine maintenance services, thereby eliminating price uncertainty while delivering original equipment manufacturer (OEM)-level engine maintenance and parts, and world-class service.

“Our P&WCSMART lineup continues to attract new and repeat customers by offering them the best value in the industry,” said Irene Makris, vice president, Customer Service, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “Tailored to the needs of operators with mature engines, P&WCSMART solutions for PT6A-34AG are tailored to help our global aerial application customers optimize their maintenance with well-priced, no-surprise solutions aligned with their business model. For aircraft reaching the end of their lifecycle, maintenance costs become higher and harder to predict – but with our P&WCSMART solutions, operators can keep their mature engines economically viable for longer.”

Flat Overhaul Program

The benefits of the PT6A-34AG Flat Overhaul Program include a guaranteed overhaul price and capped price for optional compressor turbine blade and limited life parts replacement, with no extra charges for engines that exceed the OEM-recommended time between overhauls or engines removed because of a propeller strike event.

Propeller Strike Repair Program

Under the PT6A-34AG Propeller Strike Repair Program, customers whose engines are affected by such an event will receive up to US$395,000 in parts and service for a fixed price of US$175,000 (2023 pricing). This includes labour, new genuine P&WC parts, exchanges and subcontracted parts, and more.

Flat Rate Engine Exchange Program

RTX's Pratt & Whitney Signs Modification for F117 Engine Sustainment Support Contract for C-17 Globemaster III

RTX's Pratt & Whitney Signs Modification for F117 Engine Sustainment Support Contract for C-17 Globemaster III

Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, announced this week that it has signed a $5.5 billion modification to the previously awarded F117 Engine Sustainment Support contract with the United States Air Force. The contract provides engine services for C-17s operated by the USAF and eight international partners. The sustainment work will be provided between now and the second half of 2027 and will be conducted at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma as well as facilities in San Francisco and Columbus, Georgia.  

Twenty C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, while at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., taxi prior to take-off. (The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.)

The modification further supports U.S. Air Force readiness, affordability and sustainability objectives and includes an engine performance improvement package that will eliminate more than 20 shop visits per year thanks to extended time on wing and save the customer approximately $29 million per year in fuel costs. The package will improve the F117 engine's fuel efficiency, saving up to 6.5 million gallons of fuel annually and reducing CO2 emissions by up to 140 million pounds per year. 

Pratt & Whitney awarded $66 million for F135 Engine Core Upgrade work

Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, has been awarded a $66 million definitized contract modification for continued F135 Engine Core Upgrade preliminary design efforts, resulting in a total of $180 million secured by the Connecticut congressional delegation for this engine modernization effort. The funding will further support design engineering, program management support, technology maturation, risk reduction, long lead material and hardware purchase, and weapons system integration.

"We're extremely grateful for the ceaseless support we receive from the entire Connecticut delegation," said Jen Latka, Pratt & Whitney's vice president for the F135 program. "We'll use this funding to make quick progress on our Engine Core Upgrade's preliminary design efforts, and that will keep us on track to deliver this important capability starting in 2028."

In March 2023, the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Navy chose to upgrade the F135 versus replace it with an entirely new engine. The decision was announced as part of President Biden's 2024 budget proposal.

"A modernized F-35 needs a modernized engine to support it. The additional $66 million for the F135 Engine Core Upgrade we've secured will help us maintain a skilled workforce in Connecticut and around the country to deliver this much-needed capability," said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee. "Upgrading the F135 is the right decision to support our national defence priorities and defence industrial base, and I'll continue to ensure this program gets the support and funding it needs."

Viva Aerobus picks Pratt & Whitney GTF Engines to power 90 more Airbus A321neo Aircraft

Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, announced today that Viva Aerobus has selected GTF engines to power an additional 90 Airbus A321neo firm aircraft orders, the first of which is expected to be delivered in 2027. Having previously ordered 65 GTF-powered A320neo family aircraft, the airline has now committed to 155 aircraft with GTF engines. Pratt & Whitney and Viva Aerobus have also extended their EngineWise Maintenance long-term agreement to cover the maintenance needs of the entire GTF-powered fleet.  

Viva Aerobus Selects Pratt & Whitney GTF™ Engines to Power 90 More Airbus A321neo Aircraft

GTF Engines

The Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine, featuring Collins Aerospace nacelle and engine accessories, offers the greatest fuel efficiency and lowest greenhouse gas emissions for the Airbus A320neo family. GTF-powered aircraft reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 16% to 20%, NOx emissions up to 50% and noise footprint up to 75%.* Certified for operation on 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and successfully tested on 100% SAF, GTF engines are ready to enable further reductions in carbon footprint, which will help the aviation industry meet its goal of net zero emissions by 2050. The engine's revolutionary geared fan architecture is the foundation for even more efficient and sustainable propulsion technologies in the decades ahead, with advancements like the Pratt & Whitney GTF Advantage™ engine and beyond. 

"As we continue to grow and renew our fleet, we need the best engine technology, with lower operating costs and fuel efficiency," said Juan Carlos Zuazua, CEO of Viva Aerobus. "At Viva Aerobus our mission is not only to be always safe, always reliable, and always low fares, but to do so in a way that is mindful of the environment. Our commitment to The Future is Green, our environmental culture, has led us down the path of innovation and state of the art technology. This GTF engine agreement with Pratt & Whitney is an important step towards further reducing our environmental footprint."

Viva Aerobus was established in 2006 and is headquartered in Monterrey, Mexico. The airline currently operates 31 V2500®-powered A320ceo family aircraft and 43 GTF-powered A320neo family aircraft. Viva Aerobus received its first A320neo in 2016 and its first A321neo in 2020.

"We have a long history with Viva Aerobus, starting with their V2500-powered A320ceos in 2014," said Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. "With GTF engines delivering world-class fuel efficiency, we are pleased that Viva Aerobus continues to depend on us as they grow their airline with the most sustainable engines for single-aisle aircraft."

Pratt & Whitney and Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance announce first GTF Engine induction

Pratt & Whitney confirmed this week that Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance ("AFI KLM E&M"), has inducted its first Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine. AFI KLM E&M joined the Pratt & Whitney GTF MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) network in 2022 with disassembly, assembly and test capability for PW1500G model engines for the Airbus A220 family. In 2021, Air France selected 60 A220-300 aircraft with an option of adding up to 60 more, which are powered exclusively by GTF engines. The airline currently operates 24 of these aircraft, with an additional 37 on order.

"With the induction of our first GTF engine, we're growing our capabilities with today's most advanced technologies," said Anne Brachet, executive vice president at Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance. "Our ability to overhaul geared turbofan engines strengthens our expertise in the world's most innovative architectures, so we're ready to meet the needs of current and future operators – many of them right here in Europe."

In the last four years, the GTF MRO network has more than doubled in size, and AFI KLM E&M marks the 13th active location. AFI KLM E&M is one of several distinguished providers in Europe supporting GTF MRO work and will become the third facility in the region to provide full disassembly, assembly and test capability for the PW1500G engine.

Pratt & Whitney GTF Engines Surpass 800 Orders and Commitments in 2023

Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, has announced more than 800 GTF engine orders and commitments, including spare engines, since the beginning of 2023. Airlines and lessors who have announced orders include Azorra, CALC, Carlyle Aviation Partners, Binter, Croatia Airlines, LATAM Airlines, Qantas Airways, United Airlines and Volaris. In total, more than 10,000 GTF engine orders and commitments have been placed by more than 90 customers worldwide.

Pratt & Whitney GTF Engine

"The GTF engine offers unmatched economic and environmental benefits, and these latest orders are a testament to the value it delivers to customers," said Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. "The GTF Advantage engine will extend this lead while providing more thrust and higher durability. As we increase time on wing and resolve supply chain challenges, GTF engines will continue to drive reductions in operating costs, new routes and revenue, and progress towards meeting the industry's sustainability targets."

Since entering service in 2016, GTF-powered aircraft have saved airlines more than 1.2 billion gallons (nearly five billion liters) of fuel – and the planet over 12 million metric tons of carbon emissions. GTF engines currently power over 1,600 aircraft and have accumulated more than 23 million engine flight hours of experience across nearly six million flights, carrying an estimated 860 million passengers to their destinations. GTF engines power the Airbus A220 and A320neo families and the Embraer E-Jets E2 family, including E190-E2 and E195-E2 model aircraft.

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Pratt & Whitney secures EngineWise maintenance agreement with Condor

Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, confirmed this week that Condor Flugdienst GmbH has signed an EngineWise Maintenance long-term agreement for their fleet of 41 GTF-powered Airbus A320neo family aircraft, made up of 13 A320neo and 28 A321neo aircraft.

From L to R: Scott Cika, regional vice president, Customer Business for Europe at Pratt & Whitney and the Condor Flugdienst GmbH team including Axel Schefe, group director, Fleet Management & Strategic Maintenance Procurement, Arndt Berlage, senior contracting manager, Björn Walther, chief financial officer and Sabina Heil, senior manager, Fleet Management, Aircraft Leasing in front of the GTF engine.

"GTF-powered aircraft will provide an exceptional combination of economic and environmental benefits for our business and passengers," said Björn Walther, chief financial officer at Condor. "EngineWise services will provide the insights we need to optimize the efficiency of fleet and operations, to support our ambition to enable responsible, and at the same time comfortable, travels with significantly reduced carbon emissions, lower fuel consumption and less noise."

Pratt & Whitney launch new manufacturing affiliate in Morocco

Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, confirmed this week ar the Paris Air Show that it will launch an affiliate, Pratt & Whitney Maroc (PWM), in Casablanca, to manufacture detailed static and structural machined parts for various engine models.

This investment is key to Pratt & Whitney's strategy to develop cost-effective sourcing capabilities for competitiveness and to optimize operations footprint and asset utilization. Morocco was selected after a global benchmarking exercise due to its growing hub of aerospace companies, cost of business and trained, available talent.

"Morocco offers many benefits for aerospace manufacturing," said Maria Della Posta, president, Pratt & Whitney Canada. "The growing aerospace community in Casablanca ensures a highly valuable talent pool, a positive economic environment, and the support from Morocco's government. Pratt & Whitney Maroc, as an independent affiliate, will create 200 jobs by 2030, and we look forward to joining the business community in Casablanca's MidParc Free Zone."

Pratt & Whitney announces $206 million investment in Columbus, Georgia business by 2028 to build capacity

Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, today announced a $206 million investment plan to expand the capabilities and footprint of its Columbus, Georgia business, which supports commercial and military engine programs. The investment is expected to create around 400 new jobs by the end of 2028, and will go toward the purchase of new machinery, equipment and an 81,000 square foot expansion of the Columbus Engine Center. The footprint expansion will also increase overhaul capacity to 400 GTF engines per year.

"Pratt & Whitney has been doing business in Georgia for nearly 40 years and in that time, our Columbus business has grown from a small manufacturing facility to a large, state-of-the-art manufacturing and overhaul center, where we employ approximately 2,000 employees," said Shane Eddy, president of Pratt & Whitney. "We remain committed to supporting manufacturing jobs in Georgia and see an incredible opportunity to expand our workforce and our company's capabilities in Columbus, aligned with our Industry 4.0 strategy. This investment will help ensure that we have the infrastructure, machinery and equipment upgrades in place to provide the best products and services to our customers worldwide. The tremendous support we receive from the community and state have contributed to our success in Georgia."

Pratt & Whitney will work in partnership with Georgia QuickStart to recruit and train new employees.

Croatia Airlines finalizes Pratt & Whitney GTF Engine and EngineWise maintenance agreements

Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, announced yesterday that Croatia Airlines finalized engine and aftermarket agreements for the GTF engines that will power its fleet of fifteen Airbus A220-100 and A220-300 aircraft. These include six purchased and nine leased aircraft, six of which will come from Air Lease Corporation (ALC). The first aircraft is currently scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2024. Pratt & Whitney will provide engine maintenance for Croatia's fleet with an EngineWise® Maintenance long-term agreement.

Pictured above, from L to R: Steven F. Udvar-Házy, executive chairman of Air Lease Corporation, Jasmin Bajić, CEO and president of the Management Board of Croatia Airlines and Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney finalize GTF™ Engine and EngineWise® maintenance agreements.

"This is an exciting time for Croatia Airlines as we modernize our fleet with these GTF-powered A220 aircraft," said Jasmin Bajić, CEO and president of the Management Board of Croatia Airlines. "By replacing prior-generation aircraft with the most efficient and sustainable engines and aircraft available today, we'll be able to shrink our environmental footprint and keep fares competitive."

Founded in 1991, Croatia Airlines is the national carrier of the Republic of Croatia and a member of Star Alliance. Based in Zagreb, the airline's first planes were powered by Pratt & Whitney engines, including Boeing 737-200 and McDonnell Douglas MD-82 aircraft with JT8D engines, and ATR 42 aircraft powered by PW100 engines.  

"Pratt & Whitney and Croatia Airlines have a longstanding relationship, dating back to the airline's first passenger operations," said Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. "With this GTF-powered A220 fleet backed by EngineWise services, Croatia Airlines will benefit from industry-leading technology and world-class service and support, with a growing GTF MRO network, including facilities like Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance, EME Aero and Lufthansa Technik Aero Alzey in the heart of Europe."

Pratt & Whitney and Indian Start-up Awiros launch AI-based aircraft engine inspection tool

Pratt & Whitney launches Percept – an advanced AI-based Aircraft Engine Analysis Tool.

Percept is a computer vision product that operates on top of the Awiros Video Intelligence Operating System (OS). Its cloud-based interface allows users to capture images and videos of aircraft engines on their mobile devices and receive real-time responses on parts availability. This helps enable faster and cost-efficient turnaround of leased engine assets. Instead of an inspector having to examine an engine and check part-by-part, Percept automates this inspection, and reduces time taken by nearly 90%.

"The Percept tool helps reduce time and effort involved in the pre-and-post lease analysis of aircraft engines," said O Sung Kwon, vice president, Customer Support, Pratt & Whitney. "We have been working with Awiros, an Indian Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence (AI) start-up for the past few years to mature this technology; we are excited to be shifting from technology development to now bringing an operational product to the market." 

"Building the Percept tool in collaboration with RTX has been one of the most exciting opportunities in the journey of Awiros as a startup. We are proud that Percept's high-fidelity scanning of Pratt & Whitney engines with handheld mobiles phones, without any specialized hardware, is being commercially deployed in the aerospace industry." said Vikram Gupta, founder and CEO, Awiros.

Pratt & Whitney and Virginia Tech work on laser-optical thrust and emissions measurement for gas turbine

Pratt & Whitney and Virginia Tech has announced a pioneering new technology for calculating thrust using lasers to enable high-fidelity measurement of key gas turbine engine parameters including velocity, temperature, and density. Known as Filtered Rayleigh Scattering for Thrust measurement (FRST), this new optical instrumentation technique offers significant advantages compared to traditional sensors and probes, which will support the development of more efficient engine core technologies and could enable the measurement of non-CO2 particulate emissions in flight.
"The ability to use lasers and optical sensors represents a major step forward in engine instrumentation technology and is testament to the longstanding collaboration within the Pratt & Whitney Center of Excellence at Virginia Tech," said Geoff Hunt, senior vice president, engineering and technology, Pratt & Whitney. "FRST provides a less intrusive and more cost-effective method for measuring a range of engine metrics. We see exciting potential for FRST to help advance gas turbine propulsion technologies, particularly involving smaller and more thermally efficient engine cores, which are key to our next-generation military and sustainable commercial engines."

United Airlines picks Pratt & Whitney GTF Engines for 120 Airbus A321neo and A321XLR aircraft

Pratt & Whitney confirmed this week that U.S. mega carrier United Airlines has selected the GTF engine to power 70 Airbus A321neo and 50 A321XLR firm aircraft orders, the first of which is expected to be delivered this year.

The two companies have a long history together,  with their relationship starting more than 90 years ago as part of United Aircraft and Transport Corporation, together with Boeing, flying Boeing Model 40 aircraft with a single Pratt & Whitney Wasp engine. Today Pratt & Whitney powers more than 250 United aircraft, including the Airbus A320ceo family with V2500® engines and the Boeing 777 and 767 aircraft with PW4000 engines.

"United and Pratt & Whitney share a celebrated history as pioneers of commercial air travel, as well as a commitment to more sustainable aviation as we look forward," said Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. "GTF engines will enable United to get the most out of their A321neo and A321XLR aircraft, delivering industry-leading payload, range and environmental performance for those aircraft types."

About GTF Engines

The Pratt & Whitney GTF engine, featuring Collins Aerospace nacelle and engine accessories, offers the greatest fuel efficiency and lowest greenhouse gas emissions for the Airbus A320neo family. GTF-powered aircraft reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 16% to 20%, NOx emissions up to 50% and noise footprint up to 75%.* Certified for operation on 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and successfully tested on 100% SAF, GTF engines are ready to enable further reductions in carbon footprint, which will help the aviation industry meet its goal of net zero emissions by 2050. The engine's revolutionary geared fan architecture is the foundation for even more efficient and sustainable propulsion technologies in the decades ahead, with advancements like the Pratt & Whitney GTF Advantage™ engine and beyond. Learn more at pwgtf.com.

*Reductions vs. prior-generation aircraft, based on 75 dB noise contour and ICAO CAEP/6 emissions regulations.