Deutsche Aircraft has selected Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW127XT-S engine to power their D328eco regional turboprop aircraft. The engine is part of the XT series and will deliver significant improvements in operating costs and sustainability, versus previous models.
On Friday (June 17, 2022), Pratt & Whitney Canada, a business unit of Pratt & Whitney, announced that Deutsche Aircraft has selected the company’s PW127XT-S engine to power their D328eco regional turboprop aircraft. The PW127XT-S is part of the XT series and will be developed according to the D328eco timeline, ultimately delivering a significant improvement in operating costs and sustainability compared to previous generation engines. Modern regional turboprop aircraft consume 40 percent less fuel and reduce less emissions than most in-service regional jets on routes up to 400 nautical miles. Within the D328eco program, Pratt & Whitney Canada and Deutsche Aircraft will continue to work together to develop a roadmap for implementation, testing and verification of the PW127XT-S engine, with a focus on net zero CO2 power-to-liquids (PtL) and zero emission hydrogen fuels.
In Friday’s announcement, Pratt & Whitney Canada’s President, Maria Della Posta, said,
“We have worked closely with the D328eco team over a number of years to develop the best engine option for the aircraft. The PW127XT-S provides airlines 40% more time on wing, a 20% reduction in maintenance costs with only two scheduled events over 10 years, and a 3% improvement in specific fuel consumption. We support Deutsche Aircraft’s vision of building a green aviation company and we’re confident that the PW127XT-S is the ideal match for the D328eco.
“It is key that the major airframe and engine OEMs set out ambitious yet realistic timelines and capabilities to use novel propulsion technologies in combination with de-carbonized fuel capabilities. Pratt & Whitney Canada is committed to continuous improvements in the efficiency and sustainability of its products and services, for customers in all market segments.”
Also commenting on the D328eco engine selection, Deutsche Aircraft’s Managing Director, Dave Jackson, said,
“In addition to the engine selection announced today, Deutsche Aircraft and Pratt & Whitney Canada will collaborate on novel propulsion technologies for next generation, climate friendly, highly efficient regional aircraft. Turboprop technology remains the most efficient and ecofriendly form of regional air transport available in the world. Our two companies recently agreed to cooperate on enabling the PW127XT-S engine powering the D328eco to run on a 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) including hydrogen-based and Power-to-Liquid (PtL) fuel.
“We seek not only to achieve the maximum CO2 emissions reduction possible, but also look for real operative propulsion efficiency improvements compared to today’s technology. This would mean a reduction in the order of 15-25% block energy on a typical regional mission.”
Deutsche Aviation D328eco Rendering and Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127XT-S Engine - Courtesy Deutsche Aviation / Pratt & Whitney
Founded on the heritage of the German aircraft Manufacturer Dornier Flugzeugwerke, 328 Support Services GmbH (328SSG) was established nearly a century later, after acquiring the Type Certificate rights for the Dornier 328 platform, along with the Dornier 428 TC and other assets from Avcraft in January 2006. Since then, the company has supported the fleet of approximately 180 in-service D328s, which is certified in 85 countries. Since 2015, 328SG has been under American ownership after being acquired by Colorado-based Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), a Tier-1 Aerospace supplier. In August 2019, 328SSG announced in Leipzig the formation of Deutsche Aircraft, a new aircraft OEM, built on the proud heritage of Dornier and Germany’s reputation for engineering design, quality and innovation.
A division of Raytheon Technologies Corporation (NYSE: RTX), Pratt & Whitney is a global leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines and auxiliary power units (APUs) for commercial, military, regional, business and general aviation aircraft. Pratt & Whitney is known for their innovative technologies such as the Geared Turbofan (GTF) commercial aircraft engine and the PW800 business jet engine.
Source(s): Pratt & Whitney, Deutsche Aircraft