Summary

  • Pratt & Whitney’s PW127XT turboprop engine series offers 20% lower maintenance costs and 3% reduced fuel burn.
  • The F135 engine powers all F-35 variants and boasts over 40,000 lbs of thrust, developed from the F22’s engine.
  • The PW800 engine series is designed for next-gen business jets, offering 40% less maintenance and 20% fewer inspections.

Pratt & Whitney is one of the three largest manufacturers of commercial jet airliner engines. While General Electric dominates the market (with a 55% market share), Pratt & Whitney has a 26% market share (followed by Rolls Royce at 18%). But Pratt & Whitney has its fingers in many aircraft engine pies that include fifth-generation fighter jets and regional turboprop aircraft. Many of its engines are also manufactured in Canada by Pratt and Whitney Canada (whose headquarters is just outside Montreal in Quebec).

1

PW127XT

Pratt & Whitney Canada manufactures the new PW127XT turboprop engine, which offers substantial savings compared to previous generations.

Manufacturer:

Pratt & Whitney Canada

Type:

turboprop engine

Example aircraft:

ATR 42-600, ATR 72-600

The PW127XT is a new engine series for turboprop aircraft – including the ATR 42-600 and 72-600. The engine comes with a new high-pressure turbine, bearings, and machined gaz generator that provide longer durability. The series is certified to fly with 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel and offers a 20% reduction in maintenance costs (along with a 3% reduction in fuel burn).

ATR42-600 Alliance Air

Photo: ATR

The PW127XT series allows for 40% extended time on the wing and brings engine overhaul to 20,000 hours. The engine helps regional airlines to reduce maintenance costs and operate more sustainably. ATR Chief Executive Stefano Bortoli stated that the engine helps “ATR deliver the most sustainable and economical aircraft in its market segment and will continue to do so in the years to come.”

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2

F135 Engine

The F135 engine powers all variants of the F-35 and was developed from the F-22’s engine.

Manufacturer:

Pratt & Whitney

Type:

afterburning turbofan

Aircraft:

F-35 fighter jet

The Pratt & Whitney F135 engine powers the fifth-generation F-35 fighter jet (including all three variants). It is an afterburning turbofan developed in two variants (one for the F-35A and F-35C and one for the F-35B). The variant for the F-35B includes a forward lift fan. The F-35B is a short take-off and vertical-landing (STOVL) aircraft designed to operate off amphibious assault ships and small aircraft carriers.

F-35 flying seen underneath

Photo: US Air Force

The F135 out-competed the rival General Electric/Rolls-Royal F136 engine to be selected for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The F135 is developed from the Pratt & Whitney F119 (which was developed to power the F-22 Raptor). According to Pratt & Whitney, the F135 engine boasts over 40,000 lbs of thrust, a low-observable signature, thermal management, and the most advanced integrated engine control system ever created. With more and more air forces placing orders of the F-35, Pratt & Whitney is likely to be manufacturing the F135 engine for many years to come.

3

PT6E-66XT

The PT6E-66XT is an improved variant of the PT6 family designed specifically for the Daher TBM 960.

Manufacturer:

Pratt & Whitney Canada

Type:

Turboprop aircraft engine

Aircraft:

Dahar TBM 960

The PT6E-66XT engine is the latest in the long line of Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 family of turboprop aircraft engines (the first flew in 1961). The PT6 series has been continuously upgraded over the years. The PT6E-66XT engine is purpose-built for Daher TBM 960 aircraft. The TBM 960 is Daher’s latest, very fast business and utility single-engine turboprop airplane.

A Daher Socata TBM 900 Flying over water.

According to Pratt and Whitney, the engine boasts improved design features and digital capabilities, including a 43% longer time between overhaul intervals (5,000 hours), a 40% reduction in line maintenance, and a 50% engine minor interval increase. Daher is a French company and some of its aircraft are used in the French military.

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4

Pratt & Whitney GTF

The GTF series is one of the most advanced jet engines used on narrowbody airliners.

Manufacturer:

Pratt & Whitney GTF

Type:

High-bypass geared turbofan

Aircraft:

Airbus A220, Airbus A320neo, Embraer E-Jet E2

The GTF or PW1000G family of high-bypass geared turbofans is one of the top jet engines produced in the United States. It was first certified for the Airbus A220 in 2013. Later, another variant for the Airbus A320neo family entered service in 2016 (it is also used on Embraer E-Jet E2 jets).

A Pratt & Whitney GTF engine being serviced in a Singaporean facility.

Photo: Pratt & Whitney

The Pratt and Whitney PW1000G engine was also planned to be used on the Russian Yakovlev MC-21. However, since the introduction of sanctions following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia has been cut off from the Western aviation industry. Russia is now trying to fit a domestic engine to the MC-21, which will result in it being overweight and late.

5

PW800 Engine

The PW800 engine is built for the next generation of business jets, including Gulfstream and Dassault business jets.

Manufacturer:

Pratt & Whitney Canada

Type:

Business jet turbofan engine

Aircraft:

Gulfstream G500/G600, Dassault Falcon 6X

The PW800 is built to power the next generation of business jets and regional jets. It is a series of turbofan engines providing 10,000 to 20,000 lbs of thrust. The first variants were certified in 2015 for the new Gulfstream G500/G600 jets and have since been certified for the Dassault Falcon 6X.

Pratt & Whintey PW800 sustainable engine

Photo: Pratt & Whitney

Pratt & Whitney claims that the PW800 engine family “embodies the latest advances in technology.” The company says it is the most modern, efficient, and environmentally responsible engine in its class. It offers 40% less scheduled maintenance and 20% fewer inspections than other engines in its class.


  • A321neo DLH (Lufthansa)

    Pratt & Whitney

    Date Founded:
    1925-01-01

    CEO:
    Christopher Calio

    Headquarters Location:
    East Hartford, United States

    Business Type:
    Engine Maker

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