After bringing three new engine products to market over the past five years, Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) is eyeing the next series of turboshaft programs ranging from updates of existing products that could roll out in the next 18 months to new engines that include the next iteration of its venerable PT6 line.

“We are continuing to push forward on a number of fronts through new engine and control systems,” said Irene Makris, v-p of marketing, helicopter for P&WC (Booth 1817). Noting the company has delivered 34 turboshaft models comprising 15,000 engines that have collectively amassed 55 million hours, Makris said P&WC is leveraging that experience as it eyes the new technologies.

In the past five years, P&WC has brought the PW210S, PW210A and PT6C-67E to market. “This positions us very well for our next generation of engines and engine technologies that we’re looking to power the future helicopters,” Makris said.

The companies have been working closely with the manufacturers “to understand what they want in the engines of tomorrow,” she said. Specifically, helicopter manufacturers are seeking improved fuel consumption–both from a cost savings standpoint and improved range–along with higher performance and dependability. “They want this all at a lower cost,” she said. “The message has been very loud and clear.”

Updating Current Product Lines

In the short term, which Makris estimated would be the next 18 months to two years, P&WC is looking to evolve existing product lines. “In today’s market and economical conditions, our OEMs are telling us they are not all ready for clean-sheet design today. But their operators are looking for an edge in the market,” she said. “The OEMs want to grow their capabilities a little bit, and we’re looking at look at the current engines to see how they can offer more power.”

The company is exploring opportunities in the 1,800- to 2,000-shaft horsepower range in both existing engine upgrades and new advanced engines. “We have been successfully testing some new technologies,” Makris said.

The upgrades also involved looking at “new modes of operations that we can leverage our Fadec.” P&WC has implemented Fadec on 15 different engine models in the past 10 years, including the PW210S, PT6C-67E and PW210A engines, powering the S-76D, H175 and AW169 helicopters, respectively. Makris added she believes all new engines going forward will incorporate Fadec technology.

The upgrades further will tap into research into new materials that has been ongoing at P&WC, and its parent companies Pratt & Whitney and United Technologies.

This research also plays into its longer-term efforts, which Makris said would involve “disruptive technologies. We’re developing the kind of engine that will revolutionize the helicopter industry.” While P&WC is not yet ready to discuss these technologies, she stressed, “This is not just paper exercises. We do have modules running on rigs today. We are in real stages of reviewing the technology.” These technologies will involve a “very large power range” and more than likely involve a common core. “The commonality will translate into savings…for our customers,” she said.

The research includes the next iteration of the PT6, which she said, would integrate some of Pratt & Whitney’s geared turbofan technologies from PurePower PW1000 and PW800 lines. “The PT6 will continue to grow and evolve,” she said.

Makris stressed that R&D has remained central to its strategy to retaining a strong position in the market, adding that P&WC has been the leading R&D investor in the aerospace industry in Canada. “In the last 25 years, we’ve certified about 100 engines,” she said.