PW&C advances Next Gen Turboprop engine design

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) is developing a new large turboprop engine, called the Next Generation Regional Turboprop (NGRT) t...

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) is developing a new large turboprop engine, called the Next Generation Regional Turboprop (NGRT) targeting the future 90+ seat class regional turboprop aircraft.

The centerline engine is being designed to deliver more than 20% improvement in fuel burn over today’s fleet with the efficiency and flexibility of a fully integrated propulsion system.

P&WC has launched a detailed design of NGRT engine and is continuing Phase 2 of compressor testing as part of a technology demonstrator program. The NGRT will deliver in the range of 5,000 to 7,000 shp as well as economic and environmental benefits that will sustain the regional turboprop’s competitive advantage for airlines serving short-haul, high frequency routes.

Richard Dussault, Vice President, Marketing, P&WC says that the company is confident in the 90-passenger regional turboprop market and intends to be ready when an aircraft is launched. "We are completing the demo program and we will continue to look at technology insertions. We are in discussions with all of our aircraft OEM customers about the technology that we are developing for their next generation of aircraft. We will be ready when they are".

Five 90+ seat turboprop programs has been proposed, which include Indian, Chinese and South Korean programs along with two from established turboprop manufacturers ATR and Bombardier.

The Franco-Italian ATR has plans to develop a clean sheet 90 seater. But its French owner Airbus Group is reluctant and wants to reap the benefits of the present 280 plus backlog for AtR-72s.

Canadian Bombardier plans a 90-99 seater, a stretch based on its present Q400 airliner.

Chinese AVIC may launch a 90+ seater based on its 78 seat MA700 airliner after 2020. The MA700 turboprop is planned for service entry in 2018.

In 2012, a South Korean consortium consisting Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) national flag carrier, Korean Air Lines launched a project to develop a 90-seat turboprop plane by 2019.

The Indian effort headed by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), has last year issued a Request For Information to engine makers on their engines and integrated propulsion systems (IPS) for a 70-100-seat airplane. But turbofan and turboprop options are being considered.

Engine makers GE based on its GE38 military turboshaft, and Snecma is also studying potential new 5000+ shp turboprop engines.