Pratt & Whitney was selected for NASA's Hybrid Thermal Efficiency Core Machine Project to develop efficiency gas turbine technology

Pratt & Whitney has been selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop advanced high-pressure turbine technology that can reduce fuel consumption and emissions for a new generation of single-aisle aircraft. The Hybrid Thermal Efficiency Core Aircraft (HyTEC) program is part of NASA's National Partnership program for Sustainable Flight to support groundbreaking innovations that will significantly reduce CO2 emissions in the aviation industry by 2050.

Pratt & Whitney will collaborate on research related to the project through its recently opened Center of Excellence for Ceramic Matrix Composites in Kasbad, California, and its research center. The technologies targeted by the HyTEC project include a new generation of ceramic matrix composites that can operate at operating temperatures above existing ceramic matrix composites, environmentally friendly thermal barrier coatings, and other advanced cooling and aerodynamic means that can support new component design and efficiency. By improving the thermal efficiency of high-pressure turbines, these technologies will bring greater fuel efficiency to future gas turbine propulsion systems.

Geoff Hunt, senior vice president of engineering and technology at Pratt & Whitney, said: "We are excited to partner with NASA to develop a new generation of aircraft technology that is more fuel efficient and emits less emissions. Advanced materials such as ceramic matrix blades, which support greater thermal efficiency, will help to develop more sustainable aircraft propulsion systems for the future, when combined with today's propulsion-efficient GTF engine architectures. ”

Pratt & Whitney's collaboration with NASA in recent decades has led to several key advances in sustainable propulsion technologies, including low-voltage fans, low-emission combustion chambers, and high-performance hot ends. These collaborations have played a vital role in the development and maturation of technologies that will ultimately help the aviation industry become more environmentally and economically sustainable.