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PRATT & WHITNEY IS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE FLIGHT

With the goal of achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 now backed by airlines and governments globally, Pratt & Whitney is focused on advancing technologies that will help achieve that.

PRATT & WHITNEY IS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE FLIGHT

Pratt & Whitney is shaping the future of sustainable flight by improving engine technologies and fuel efficiencies in its products, focusing on three core elements:

1. Smarter Technology for More Efficient Propulsion
The Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine is the latest evolution of an engine whose revolutionary geared-fan architecture has already enabled up to 16-20% better fuel efficiency for single-aisle aircraft and reduced carbon emissions. Since entering service in 2016, the GTF has enabled aircraft to save more than 1 billion gallons of fuel, and 10 million tons of carbon emissions.

As part of a collaborative project supported by the European Union’s Clean Aviation initiative, Pratt & Whitney is developing a hybrid electric GTF demonstrator, designed to optimize aircraft efficiency across different phases of flight. Known as SWITCH (Sustainable Water-Injecting Turbofan Comprising Hybrid Electrics), the project is also focused on developing Water Enhanced Turbofan (WET) technology, which combined with hybrid-electric propulsion, could enable up to 25% better efficiency in future short and medium-range aircraft. Pratt & Whitney is working closely with teams from Collins Aerospace, Airbus, MTU Aero Engines and GKN Aerospace to advance this project.

At the same time, Pratt & Whitney’s advancement of hybrid electric propulsion technology is being accelerated across multiple other demonstrator programs, which involve close collaboration with Collins Aerospace, also a Raytheon Technologies business. In December 2022, Pratt & Whitney Canada successfully completed the first engine run of the company’s regional hybrid-electric flight demonstrator.

The company is also exploring hybrid-electric propulsion for the emerging field of advanced air mobility, which aims to move people and cargo between places not easily served by existing modes of transportation. The Scalable Turboelectric Powertrain Technology (STEP-Tech) demonstrator is aimed at hybrid electric propulsion concepts in the 100-500kW class and addresses a variety of potential applications, such as high-speed electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL), unmanned aerial system (UAS) applications, and blended wing body aircraft.

2. Supporting the Transition to Cleaner, Non-fossil-based Fuels

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
Alongside advancing more efficient propulsion technologies, increasing the use of sustainable aviation fuel is of critical importance to achieving the goal of net-zero carbon emissions. While all Pratt & Whitney engines are today compatible with SAF blended at up to 50% with conventional kerosene, work is underway to ensure engines will be ready to operate with 100% SAF blends in the future.

In March 2022, Pratt & Whitney successfully tested the GTF Advantage engine configuration with 100% sustainable aviation fuel and has carried out multiple other tests of 100% SAF in collaboration with Airbus, ATR and Embraer.

Hydrogen
Pratt & Whitney is in a good position to help the industry’s use of zero-carbon fuels such as hydrogen, with experience developing hydrogen-burning turbine engines going back to the 1950s.

The Hydrogen Steam Injected, Inter‐Cooled Turbine Engine, or HySIITE project explores using liquid hydrogen combustion and water vapour recovery to achieve zero in-flight CO2 emissions while reducing NOx emissions by up to 80% and reducing fuel consumption by up to 35% for next-generation single-aisle aircraft.

While significant industry investments in fuel infrastructure must take place before hydrogen-powered aircraft take flight at scale, Pratt & Whitney continues to develop innovative hydrogen propulsion technologies as part of its wider strategy for powering sustainable aviation.

3. Sustainability through Greener Operations
Pratt & Whitney has also invested in sustainability at its own facilities – an approach that is evident in two new sites in Carlsbad, California, and Asheville, North Carolina.

The Asheville site, which includes an advanced casting foundry and airfoil production facility, has met or exceeded goals for greenhouse gas, water and waste. It also has several sustainability initiatives underway that implement best practices for wastewater, energy and greenhouse gases.

The Carlsbad facility is reducing its carbon footprint through an on-site heat reclamation system, and it is pursuing on-site power generation. The facility focuses on the research of next-generation ceramic matrix composites – materials that could revolutionize the components that operate in the fierce heat of engines’ hot sections.

As part of Raytheon Technologies, Pratt & Whitney sets regular Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) goals, including targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and waste. Read more about Raytheon Technologies’ 2025 EH&S sustainability goals here.


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