Pratt & Whitney-Powered Navy Unmanned Combat Air System Unveiled

8th January 2009 - 01:00 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

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Pratt & Whitney, along with Northrop Grumman, unveiled the first X-47B air vehicle for the U.S. Navy's Unmanned Combat Air System Carrier Demonstration (UCAS-D) program. The X-47B is powered by a Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220U engine. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies company.

The unveiling ceremony offered a first look at the most technologically advanced unmanned air vehicle in development.

"To see this revolutionary unmanned combat air system equipped with a Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220U engine is truly a proud moment," said Michael Ondas, Pratt & Whitney UCAS-D program manager. "To see the tangible results of our design and development efforts is very rewarding. We are proud to celebrate this accomplishment with Northrop Grumman, the U.S. Navy, and the entire X-47B team."

Pratt & Whitney was awarded a $54 million contract earlier this year to develop and integrate the engine and exhaust system for the X-47B.

The Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220U engine, a derivative of the F-100-PW-220E, is capable of providing up to 16,000 pounds of thrust while operating in a maritime environment, including carrier deck operations. First flight of the X-47B is scheduled in 2009, with at-sea carrier trials planned to begin in late 2011.

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.