Pratt & Whitney, a division of RTX, announced that the GTF Advantage engine has been certified by the FAA for the Airbus A320neo family. This comes less than a week after than the certification of the GTF powered A321XLR by EASA in Europe. The GTF advantage will deliver 4-8% more takeoff thrust, enabling higher payloads and longer range that the existing GTF engine on the Airbus aircraft. The GTF advantage will be intermixable and interchangeable with today’s GTF engines, and will replace the existing GTF to become the new production standard.
The differences include a number of redesigned life-limited parts and technology enhancements throughout the gas path. The new design is more durable, with increased core airflow to reduce operating temperature and a state-of-the-art hot section to increase time on wing. The High Pressure Turbine (HPT) will include advanced airfoil designs and improved coatings. The HPT and combustor will also feature cooling system improvements.
Rick Deurloo, President of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney, stated “GTF engine already offer the lowest fuel consumption and CO2 emissions for single-aisle aircraft. The GTF Advantage engine extends that lead and enhances aircraft capability, providing more thrust and even more value of operators of A320neo family aircraft, especially on longer-range aircraft like the A321XLR, all with a more durable configuration. With this certification and engine deliveries on track for later this year, it’s fitting we mark these milestones in 2024, as Pratt & Whitney celebrates a century of powering the future.”
The Bottom Line
After a shaky introduction because of reliability issues and a major upgrade program to fix issues with the GTF, which resulted in a large number of aircraft being grounded for engine repairs, the new model will be a welcome addition for Airbus operators. The improvements in reliability, which incorporate all of the require changes for new build engines, will finally provide the promise of the GTF, which has achieved its efficiency goals but come up short on reliability.
This next generation GTF, focused on improving reliability, will finally enable customers to gain the benefits they expected from choosing the engine over the competing CFM LEAP. The industry is hoping that all of the improvements will meet the improved reliability goals, given the strong demand and backlog for GTF engines, and eliminate the need for early engine removals for maintenance.
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