Pratt & Whitney’s NGAP passes fully digital design review

Pratt & Whitney’s NGAP offering passes first fully digital detailed design review

Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, has completed the detailed design review of its Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) offering with the US Air Force. The manufacturer presented directly from its collaborative digital environment, providing reviewers with immediate access to all the data and material to satisfy the stringent criteria. Passing this fully digital evaluation allows the team to begin procuring hardware for the construction of its XA103 prototype ground demonstrator, which is expected to test in the late 2020s.

Jill Albertelli, president of Pratt & Whitney’s military engines business, said: “The significance of this first fully digital review cannot be understated. Digital processes throughout the lifecycle are crucial to rapidly and efficiently deliver advanced warfighter capabilities. As we celebrate our centennial, the digital tools and processes that our NGAP team has demonstrated, and will continue to advance, will be at the foundation of our technology maturation for our future next-generation solutions.”

Pratt & Whitney’s NGAP engine has an adaptive architecture, enabling its components to actively adjust for optimised fuel efficiency, survivability, and power and thermal management, surpassing the capabilities of fourth- and fifth-generation engines. This step change in engine capability will help ensure the US Air Force maintains air superiority and deters pacing challenges.