LONDON, July 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- FARNBOROUGH AIRSHOW -- Pratt
& Whitney, a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company, today announced
the formation of strategic relationships with MTU Aero Engines, Avio and
Volvo Aero for continued development of key Geared Turbofan (GTF) engine
technologies.
The Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan engine represents a step-change in
commercial engine performance for single-aisle aircraft. The expected
benefits will include up to a 12 percent improvement in fuel efficiency and
a 30-decibel noise reduction over Stage III requirements. A ground
demonstration test is planned in the third quarter 2007 and a flight
demonstration test in 2008.
"Our market research had indicated that customers of the next
generation single-aisle aircraft will be equally focused on engine
performance and cost of operation," said Steve Heath, president, Pratt &
Whitney Commercial Engines. "Pratt & Whitney, together with our business
partners, MTU, Avio and Volvo Aero, are committed to developing and
maturing the Geared Turbofan technology in advance of the next generation
single-aisle aircraft."
MTU Aero Engines, based in Munich, Germany, and Pratt & Whitney are
working closely to develop new, scalable common engine core technology for
the 90 to 200 passenger commercial and military markets. The common core
components include development of new high-pressure compressor and
high-speed, low-spool turbine technologies.
"MTU and Pratt & Whitney have a long history of working together on the
development of innovative new engine technology, including on the recently
certified PW6000," said Heath. "MTU brings extensive compressor design and
integrally bladed rotor (IBR) experience to the Geared Turbofan technology
development program, and we are excited to have them onboard.
This new technology will increase the reliability and maintainability
of the engine while reducing fuel consumption and the overall cost of
ownership."
Moreover Pratt & Whitney finalized an agreement with Avio,
headquartered in Torino, Italy, for the development and manufacturing of
the advanced fan drive gear system for the GTF ground and flight test
demonstrator. The GTF development program is taking advantage of Avio's
capabilities for the design and prototyping of power transmission gearboxes
and particularly of geared fan transmission systems. This system is a
critical part of the Geared Turbofan technology; it enables the fan to
operate at optimal speeds independent of the low-pressure compressor and
turbine. "The optimization of the fan speed results in significantly lower
noise emissions and an increased bypass ratio, which contributes to greater
fuel efficiency gains for the customer," said Heath.
Volvo Aero, of Trollhattan, Sweden, brings expertise in turbine exhaust
case technology to the Geared Turbofan development. "The turbine exhaust
case is the rear structural mounting point of the engine to the aircraft
wing and is critical to stabilizing the airflow from the engine," said
Heath.
Pratt & Whitney has over 17,000 aircraft engines in service with
hundreds of airlines around the world. Additionally, Pratt & Whitney is a
leading partner in two joint venture companies to manufacture commercial
aircraft engines: the International Aero Engines (IAE) V2500, which
operates on the Airbus A320 family of aircraft, and the Engine Alliance
(EA) GP7200 engine, FAR 33 certified on the new Airbus A380.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and
service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas
turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., USA, is a
diversified company providing high technology products and services to the
global aerospace and building industries.
SOURCE Pratt & Whitney
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Related links:
http://www.pratt-whitney.com
CONTACT:
Jennifer Arsenault of Pratt & Whitney,
+1-860-565-9600, or jennifer.arsenault@pw.utc.com
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