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P&W Developing Technology for Quieter Engines
Determined not to miss out on the next generation of replacement aircraft for the Airbus 320 and Boeing 737 families (the 737 is powered exclusively by CFM International’s CFM56 engines), Pratt & Whitney is already developing technology for quieter, cleaner and more efficient engines.
While the PW6000 core could possibly be updated to form the basis for a new engine for single-aisle airliners, Pratt sees the future new engine program instead as an extension of its cooperation with Rolls-Royce (plus MTU and JAEC) in International Aero Engines. “Within IAE we are debating what that configuration could look like,” said Steve Heath, president of commercial engines at P&W.
Meanwhile Pratt will develop technologies at NASA and with MTU using the PW6000 core, culminating in flight-test of a geared fan on a technology demonstrator engine in 2008.
Single-aisle airliners are forecast to make up 75% of all airliner deliveries over the next couple of decades. The next generation could be ready in six or seven years’ time, but opposition from current fleet owners could push that out to 2014.
Some 75% of Heath’s engineering and development budget is being spent on new technologies and product development, and the remainder on product improvements for the current fleet.
Pratt & Whitney routinely spends 8% or 9% of its revenues on research and development. — John Morris
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