SINGAPORE,
Feb. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
SINGAPORE AIRSHOW -- Pratt &
Whitney's Geared Turbofan demonstrator engine has successfully operated using
an alternative fuel blend during Phase I ground testing in
West Palm Beach,
Fla. Pratt & Whitney and engineers from the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA), in a partnership under the NASA Fundamental Aeronautics
program, completed the test using a synthetic fuel blend as part of a program
comparing potential emissions benefits for future aircraft applications.
Pratt & Whitney is a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
"The Geared Turbofan engine is setting new standards for environmental
performance and jet propulsion efficiency," said Bob Saia, vice president,
Next Generation Product Family, Pratt & Whitney. "The successful
demonstration of alternative fuels on our Geared Turbofan engine validates the
flexibility of this engine's design to take advantage of multiple sources of
fuel and leverage the environmental and economic benefits available today."
Pratt & Whitney is aggressively researching and testing alternative fuels
for the aviation industry. In addition to the Geared Turbofan demonstrator
engine, the company has partnered with the U.S. Air Force to test and certify
alternative fuels for the TF33-powered B-52 aircraft and F117-powered C-17
transport. The C-17 recently completed its first transcontinental flight
operating entirely on a blended synthetic fuel. As part of Pratt & Whitney's
overall alternative fuel research, the company will conduct additional ground
and flight tests across a range of products. Current plans for testing this
year include commercial, military and business jet engines.
Pratt & Whitney actively participates in several international
organizations working together to bring alternative fuels into field use.
These organizations include the American Society of Testing and Materials, the
Coordinating Research Council, and the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels
Initiative.
The Geared Turbofan demonstrator engine is part of Pratt & Whitney's
overall technology readiness program to power the next generation of
commercial aircraft. The company is actively testing key components of the
Geared Turbofan engine on 15 test rigs worldwide. The Geared Turbofan engine
targets double-digit reductions in fuel consumption, engine noise,
environmental emissions and maintenance costs.
In a Geared Turbofan engine, a state-of-the-art gear system allows the
engine's fan to operate independent of the low-pressure compressor and
turbine, resulting in greater fuel efficiency and a slower fan speed for less
noise. The Geared Turbofan engine builds on more than 20 years of technology
development with improvements in every major module.
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., is a diversified company
providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and
commercial building industries.
This release includes "forward looking statements" concerning future
business opportunities and other matters involving this engine that are
subject to risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in forward
looking statements include changes in the health of the global economy and the
strength of end market demand in the aerospace industry; as well as company
specific items including the ability to achieve cost reductions at planned
levels; challenges in the design, development, production and support of
advanced technologies and new products; and delays and disruption in delivery
of materials and services from suppliers. For information identifying other
important economic, political, regulatory, legal, technological, competitive
and other uncertainties, see UTC's SEC filings as submitted from time to time,
including but not limited to, the information included in UTC's 10-K and 10-Q
Reports under the headings "Business," "Risk Factors," "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and
"Cautionary Note Concerning Factors that May Affect Future Results," as well
as the information included in UTC's Current Reports on Form 8-K.
Matthew Perra Jennifer Whitlow
Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engines Pratt & Whitney
Int'l Mobile: +1.860.595.6515 U.S. Office: +1.860.565.9600
matthew.perra@pw.utc.com jennifer.whitlow@pw.utc.com
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