Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) has begun testing of the compressor for the next generation regional turboprop engine, a key step in the company's technology demonstrator program.

The high-efficiency compressor is a core element of the new engine and the test hardware has already run to the full range of aerodynamic design points. Key engine characteristics such as component efficiency and pressure ratio will be validated by the demonstration program, bringing the best technology forward.

“The next generation turboprop engine is a totally new centerline engine that will deliver a 20 per cent improvement in fuel burn over today's fleet using the latest technologies of our next generation product families,” said Richard Dussault, Vice-President, Marketing, P&WC.

“Our new engine will deliver the economic and environmental benefits that will sustain the regional turboprop's competitive advantage for airlines serving short-haul, high-frequency routes,” he added.

P&WC's PW100 family of engines has led the regional turboprop segment since entering service more than 25 years ago. The company has more than 200 million hours of flying experience in the regional turboprop segment.

P&WC's new offering will be a fully integrated propulsion system including engine, nacelle, propellers and engine systems, bringing the most advanced systems integration technologies to this product.

“We continue our strategy of leveraging the entire spectrum of research and development capability to bring the best technology to our engines. We are investing in this next-generation technology demonstrator to offer real engine performance data to potential OEM customers,” said Dussault.

Pratt & Whitney Canada is a United Technologies Corp. company.