Pratt & Whitney demonstrate a jet engine with a gearbox

Pratt & Whitney Canada, a United Technologies company, has on display its full range of engines, including two engines not seen before publicly. Drawing particular interest is Pratt & Whitney's Advanced Technology Fan Integrator (ATFI), a geared turbofan engine. Also on show is the first production PW6000 engine.

The distinguishing point of the AFTI turbofan is that it incorporates a gearbox, rather than a normal straight shaft to connect the engine's compressor and turbine to the fan. The result says Pratt & Whitney is an engine with enhanced efficiency and reduced noise levels; the engine has already run successfully at Pratt & Whitney's test facility. The company says the ATFI sets the stage for the introduction of its PW800 range of engines for the regional/business jet market.

The PW6000, the launch powerplant for Airbus A318, is now well into its certification-testing phase, and is on show alongside the PW4168 found on the Airbus A330. Other Pratt & Whitney engines on display include the F119, which powers the USAF F-22 fighter and its stable mate, the JSF119, the power source of both competing JSF prototypes.

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