ATW Daily News

Pratt to test Geared Turbofan on A340

Tuesday April 22, 2008

In a rare development, Airbus and Pratt & Whitney yesterday announced an agreement to flight test Pratt's Geared Turbofan engine on Airbus's A340 testbed, although the engine does not have an application on an Airbus airframe.

Testing will occur during the fourth quarter. The GTF has been chosen by Bombardier and Mitsubishi for their respective new aircraft programs, the CSeries and Mitsubishi Regional Jet, and Pratt has touted it for the successors to the A320 and 737NG families (ATW, February 2008).

Approximately 20 years have passed since commercial engine and airframe makers last collaborated to test fly an engine without an application on the airframe OEM's platform. These were the McDonnell Douglas Ultra High Bypass Demonstrator that featured a General Electric Unducted Fan demonstrator engine mounted on an MD-80 and the Pratt & Whitney-Allison Engine Propfan Demonstrator, which also flew on an MD-80.

"We are delighted at the opportunity to partner with Airbus on flight testing the Geared Turbofan engine," said Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engines President Todd Kallman. According to the company, "the flight testing will provide first-hand experience with the performance of the [GTF], which targets double-digit improvements in fuel burn, environmental emissions, engine noise and operating costs."

Airbus said in a statement that the trials "are an example of [its] commitment, as an eco-efficient company, to look at all new technologies and innovations that could potentially bring environmental and economic benefits to the aviation sector for the longer term."

A Pratt spokesperson noted, "The flight testing does not imply a business or technical agreement with Airbus for current or future aircraft. That said, we are excited for the opportunity to demonstrate the performance of this engine to Airbus."

The GTF demonstrator engine, which has logged approximately 150 hr. since ground testing began in November, recently started Phase II testing focusing on engine performance and acoustic characteristics with a flight-capable nacelle system (ATWOnline, April 11). First flight of the engine is expected around mid-year on Pratt's 747 testbed.

by Perry Flint

Other headlines: