Today, global engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney announced it is establishing a technology accelerator in Singapore. The announcement comes on the opening day of MRO Asia-Pacific, a conference and exhibition dedicated to the commercial aviation maintenance community held in Singapore.
Pratt & Whitney (P&W), a Raytheon Technologies company, designs, manufactures, and services aircraft and helicopter engines and auxiliary power units. P&W revolutionized engine technology by introducing the geared turbofan (GTF), first used on the Airbus A320neo in 2016 and followed by the A321neo in 2017.
It is now also powering Airbus A220s and Embraer E-Jets E2 aircraft, with the second generation GTF Advantage under development. It has been operating in Singapore, its Asia-Pacific hub, for nearly 40 years and has extensive manufacturing and repair facilities on the island.
Pratt & Whitney is developing its second-generation geared turbofan, the GTF Advantage. Photo: Pratt & Whitney
More new technology in Singapore
The technology accelerator is a collaboration with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EBD) and is due to open by the end of this year. It will be located in the heart of Singapore's aerospace industry at the Seletar Aerospace Park and will add 16 new full-time jobs, expected to be filled by local employees.
P&W has four Singapore-based MRO facilities that will benefit from the new center, although the technologies developed will be applied globally across the OEM's network. The accelerator will be a Center of Excellence for technology advancement and plans to develop projects worth at least S$31 million ($22m) over the next five years.
Areas of focus will include automation, advanced inspection, connected factory, and digital twins, all aimed at increasing connectivity and intelligence across P&W's MRO operations. While the GTF is the latest engine from P&W, its predecessors continue to power thousands of commercial aircraft daily, and all of those will benefit from enhanced MRO technologies. The engine of choice on the Airbus A320ceo family is the V2500, made by International Aero Engines (IAE). IAE is a global partnership of aerospace leaders, including P&W, Japanese Aero Engine Corporation, and MTU Aero Engines.
The P&W 4000 family power a range of larger aircraft, including Airbus, Boeing, and McDonnell Douglas. The PW4000-94 has been on the Boeing B747 and B767, Airbus A300 and A310, and the Macdonnell Douglas MD-11. The PW4000-100 is used on Airbus A330, while the PW4000-112 is on the B777-200/200ER and 300 series. At the top of the scale is the Engine Alliance GP7200, a joint venture between P&W and GE Aviation that delivers 70,000 pounds of thrust to the Airbus A380.
P&W aligned with Singapore's tech focus
The drive for MRO digitalization is gaining pace, and P&W believes the new technology accelerator aligns closely with Singapore's national push to digitalize the nation's economy. VP Aftermarket Global Operations Kevin Kirkpatrick said:
"Our Asia-Pacifc MRO facilities have done a great deal in the way of technology insertion, including developing the first-in-MRO application of 3D printing for aero-engine component details, pioneering robotics in the sector and launching an industrial simulation software pilot that has already optimized floor space and increased productivity."
Singapore has a well-earned reputation for technology development and is a keen supporter of P&W's accelerator and other enhancements. These have involved discussions with Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR) on technology innovation.
A*STAR hosts Singapore's aerospace program, which is of national importance, that drives innovation in emerging technologies and develops industry-relevant technologies for commercial aerospace. With its A*STAR involvement and the backing of the Singapore Economic Development Board, Pratt & Whitney will benefit significantly from investing in its technology accelerator and center of excellence.
Cre: Simple Flying
Nguyen Mai Huong-COMM
