Pratt & Whitney-Powered Joint STARS Aircraft Unveiled
EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Jan. 20 -- Pratt & Whitney, in a joint venture with Seven Q Seven (SQS) of San Antonio, Texas, celebrated the roll-out of the re-engined Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) aircraft along with Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company. SQS is an Omega Air Limited company.
The Joint STARS aircraft roll out showcased the first successful re-engining of the B707-based aircraft with four JT8D-219 engines under a contract Pratt & Whitney was awarded in 2007. Pratt & Whitney and SQS will deliver complete propulsion systems to power the U.S. Air Force's fleet of 19 Joint STARS aircraft.
"We are proud of this milestone for the JT8D-219 engine and the Joint STARS aircraft," said Bev Deachin, director airlift and mobility programs. "The rollout of the Pratt & Whitney-powered aircraft puts us one step closer to providing our U.S. Air Force customer with a more efficient, powerful and dependable propulsion source for the Joint STARS."
The JT8D-219 Joint STARS engine configuration offers a cost-effective, simplified installation approach. This fuel-efficient propulsion system affords the Joint STARS aircraft fuel burn improvement, which will increase the Joint STARS time on-station in its surveillance orbit.
"Pratt & Whitney and our partner Seven Q Seven are ready to support the U.S. Air Force in its critical Joint STARS mission," Deachin said. "We are confident in our product and our team, and we look forward to ensuring the continued success of the U.S. Air Force."
Pratt & Whitney's JT8D-219 engine is a derivative of one of the world's most popular commercial jet engines. Commercial, FAA-certified JT8D-200 series propulsion systems are currently in operation on Boeing 727 and MD80 aircraft.
Production deliveries of the JT8D-219 propulsion system for the Joint STARS fleet will begin in 2010. Joint STARS aircraft, powered by Pratt & Whitney engines, are projected to be in service for more than 20 years.
Pratt & Whitney will be responsible for delivering the JT8D-219 engines and Seven Q Seven will supply the propulsion nacelle system, which includes the struts, cowl doors, inlet, reversers, and systems in collaboration with its key suppliers: Goodrich Corporation's Aerostructures team and The Nordam Group.
Pratt & Whitney military engines include the F100 family that powers the F-15 and F-16, the F119 for the F-22 Raptor, the F135 for the F-35 Lightning II, the F117 for the C-17 Globemaster III, the J52 for the EA-6B Prowler, the TF33 powering AWACS/Joint STARS/B-52/KC-135 aircraft, and TF30 for the F-111. In addition, Pratt & Whitney offers a global network of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and military aftermarket services (MAS) focused on maintaining engine readiness for our customers.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and commercial building industries.
Source: Pratt & Whitney
CONTACT:
Erin Dick of Pratt & Whitney Military Engines,
+1-860-557-0122,
erin.dick@pw.utc.com;
or
Jennifer Whitlow of Pratt & Whitney,
+1-860-565-9600,
jennifer.whitlow@pw.utc.com
