EAST HARTFORD, Conn.,
Sept. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/
-- Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies
Corp. (NYSE: UTX), today announced it has successfully completed
testing of an adaptive three-stream fan in an engine with an F135
core as part of the U.S. Air Force Research
Laboratory's Adaptive Engine Technology Development (AETD)
program. Successful testing of the three-stream engine architecture
demonstrates Pratt & Whitney is well positioned to transition
adaptive engine technology to meet future U.S. Air Force
requirements for combat aircraft propulsion.
"Preliminary data from the test indicates our three-stream fan
has met or exceeded expectations with respect to performance as
well as the integrity of the turbofan machinery and fan module,"
said Matthew Bromberg, president,
Pratt & Whitney Military Engines. "This is an important
milestone on the path toward the advancement and maturation of a
next generation adaptive engine which will enable the warfighter to
stay well ahead of future and emerging threats."
Modern military turbofan engines have two airstreams – one that
passes through the core of the engine, and another that bypasses
the core. The development of a third stream provides an extra
source of air flow to improve propulsive efficiency and lower fuel
burn, or to deliver additional air flow through the core for higher
thrust and cooling air. Utilizing a third stream of air that can be
modulated to adapt the engine's performance across the flight
envelope means a fighter can have the best of both worlds by
accessing an on-demand increase in thrust or smoothly shift to
highly efficient operations during cruise. This capability provides
an optimal balance for combat scenarios requiring both high-end
acceleration and increased range.
The adaptive three-stream fan technology leverages and improves
upon Pratt & Whitney's experience as the only provider of fifth
generation fighter engines – the F119 and F135, which power the
F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, respectively.
While Pratt & Whitney is demonstrating the efficacy of a
three-stream architecture under AETD, it is also maturing other
advanced propulsion technologies considered essential for
high-speed and long-endurance performance requirements. This
includes adaptive control systems as well as improved integrated
power and thermal management capacity which can enable more
sensors, data fusion, electronic warfare, and directed energy. The
goal of the AETD program is to provide a 25 percent reduction in
fuel consumption and a 10 percent improvement in thrust levels
compared to today's fifth-generation combat aircraft engines.
"From the development of the very first adaptive engine, the
J58, which powered the iconic SR-71 Blackbird, to today's F135
STOVL variant, our decades of experience with adaptive engine
technology are unmatched," said Bromberg. "We look forward to
continuing work with our Air Force customer to advance the next
generation of military fighter engine technology under the final
phase of AETD, and beyond through the Adaptive Engine Transition
Program (AETP)."
The AETD fan test was conducted at the Arnold Engineering
Development Complex, located on Arnold Air Force Base in
Tullahoma, Tenn. Later this year,
Pratt & Whitney plans to conduct additional adaptive engine
testing on a new high efficiency engine core developed under the
AETD program.
Watch this video to learn more about Pratt & Whitney's
unrivaled experience with adaptive engines.
About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture
and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. United
Technologies Corp., based in Farmington,
Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services
to the building and aerospace industries. To learn more about UTC,
visit its website at www.utc.com, or follow the company on
Twitter: @UTC.
For more information about Pratt & Whitney, visit
http://www.pratt-whitney.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements
concerning future business opportunities. Actual results may differ
materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and
uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in levels of
demand in the aerospace industry, in levels of air travel, and in
the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in the design,
development, production support, performance and realization of the
anticipated benefits of advanced technologies; as well as other
risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those
detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corp.'s
Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Pratt &
Whitney
+1 (860) 565-9600
media@pw.utc.com
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SOURCE Pratt & Whitney