Pratt & Whitney is developing a new family of propulsion systems to equip advanced munitions and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
The engines will offer scalable thrust from 500 to 1,800 pounds (227 to 816 kilograms), enabling them to power a wide range of platforms.
“This new family of engines is being developed by our GATORWORKS team, which prioritized development speed and affordability,” President of Pratt & Whitney’s Military Engines business Jill Albertelli said.
“The scalability of the architecture, the commonality across models, and the use of additive manufacturing will allow us to significantly reduce development and production timelines as we look at existing and future applications with customers.”
Tests in 2025, 2026
The engine is scheduled for initial testing later this year and again in early 2026 to validate key design features. It will be offered to both domestic and international customers.
No further details about the unnamed propulsion system have been disclosed.
However, citing Albertelli, Aviation Week reported that it builds on the TJ150 engine used in munitions and decoys and draws lessons from the GatorWorks FJ700 turbofan.
“It is different, because we take the lessons learned and the data and the information from any testing that we’ve done or design work that we’ve done prior, and we are incorporating it into this new design,” the outlet quoted Albertelli as saying.
Rising Demand
The engine’s development is being accelerated to meet the rising demand for expendable unmanned CCA intended to fly alongside manned fighters.
In addition to the US Air Force, countries such as India and Australia are also pursuing CCA programs.
Meanwhile, Germany is planning to train personnel in manned-unmanned teaming as part of its preparations for the Next Generation Weapon System, which comprises a next-generation manned fighter and a CCA.
Pratt & Whitney is “seeing strong demand from both the services and international customers for CCAs, and we really have been able to provide solutions that we’re looking to field faster, again, moving at the speed of relevance,” Albertelli was quoted as saying by Air And Space Forces.
