Pratt & Whitney confident on GTF enginesPratt & Whitney's PW1000G can be installed on the 737NG and will achieve a double-digit fuel burn improvement, according to Senior VP-Sales Bob Keady. Responding to a question from ATWOnline here, he said preliminary studies have been completed and Boeing has "some very smart engineers" and would not need to modify the main undercarriage.
Whereas Pratt is supplying the engine under its own banner for the Bombardier CSeries, Mitsubishi Regional Jet and Irkut MC-21, it appears likely that for the A320 and 737 re-engine it will be marketed and supplied through IAE. Airbus confirmed this week that it hopes to announce a re-engine option for the A320 by the Farnborough Airshow.
Keady was coy on how the IAE partnership could be extended to cover the geared turbofan, saying, "IAE is a great brand and P&W is talking to customers to achieve the best possible solution."
He was upbeat on the PW1000G's performance, telling media that the demonstrator engine has completed 40,000 simulated takeoffs at maximum torque and "the original machining marks" are still visible. "We have also tested the engine to 2.5 normal takeoff load with no gear or bearing stress," he added. "We have mastered gearbox technology and we have a significant advantage over any other engine."