P&W Geared Turbofan(TM) Demonstrator Engine Completes Phase I Ground Tests Ahead of Schedule
Pratt & Whitney has successfully completed Phase I sea-level performance and acoustic testing on the full-scale Geared Turbofan(TM) demonstrator engine ahead of schedule. The engine will now be configured with the flight nacelle system for Phase II ground testing beginning in April in preparation for flight testing on Pratt & Whitney’s 747SP flying test bed in mid-2008.
The Geared Turbofan demonstrator engine has logged a total of 130 hours since ground testing began in November 2007. Running from idle to full power, Phase I testing validated the design of the fan, low pressure compressor, fan drive gear system and thermal management system to demonstrate the Geared Turbofan engine’s operational efficiency.
Phase II of the Geared Turbofan engine’s ground test program will continue in West Palm Beach, Fla., through May before being installed on Pratt & Whitney’s 747SP flying test bed for flight testing.
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