First Pratt & Whitney PurePower® PW1524G engine testing advances

Ground testing of Pratt & Whitney's first PW1524G engine for the Bombardier CSeries family of aircraft continues on schedule validating performance expectations. The engine is the first of an eight-engine validation and certification program. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.

"We are extremely pleased with the test results indicating that the overall engine performance is well aligned with our pre-test expectations," said Bob Saia, vice president, Next Generation Product Family. "The engine has accumulated approximately sixty hours of testing with more than 2,000 sensors. To date we have validated full engine operability, engine fuel and lubrication systems and overall mechanical characteristics. The engine has completed about half of its test program."

The PW1500G engine test program will run a total of eight test engines over the next 24 months with engine certification and aircraft first flight scheduled for 2012. Entry into service is scheduled for 2013. German flag carrier, Deutsche Lufthansa, Lease Corporation International and Republic Airways have placed firm orders for a total of 90 Bombardier CSeries aircraft.

Pratt & Whitney concluded PurePower engine core testing earlier this year with more than 260 accumulated test hours. In addition to the core testing, Pratt & Whitney has performed critical module-level testing for the PurePower engine program, including fan drive gear system testing with simulations of more than 60,000 takeoffs and landings, and hundreds of hours of testing on the low and high-pressure compressor with advanced designs meeting or exceeding efficiency and operability goals.

The PurePower family of engines is designed to power the next generation of passenger aircraft. The combination of its gear system and advanced core allows PurePower engines to deliver double-digit improvements in fuel efficiency and emissions with a 50-percent reduction in noise over today's engines.

The PurePower engine also has been selected as exclusive power for the Mitsubishi Regional Jet scheduled to enter service in 2014, and to power the new Irkut MC-21 narrow-body jet scheduled to enter service in 2016.