Williams Int'l Adds Biggest Heavy Breather Yet, To Its Product Line

Gregg Williams, President of Williams International, has confirmed the basic details of his company's launch of a new 3500 pound thrust class FJ44-4 engine. Using essentially the same FJ-44 core (file photo, seen below) with a continued infusion of improved technology, the new dual-channel FADEC-equipped turbofan engine will provide reportedly offer significantly better value than existing engines in its target thrust class. Detailed performance parameters were supposedly being kept under wraps but the new engine was on display at the just-concluded NBAA Convention, in Orlando, FL (where the once-prominent EJ22 was pretty much a no-show). The FJ44-4's 3500 pound thrust rating is seen as competition to the PW500 and some of the more basic TFE731 variants.

No specific customer applications have been announced as yet but, Williams said, "We are beginning to actively market the engine to potential customers."

"While many in the industry continue a trend towards outsourcing of design, analysis and component manufacturing, we remain committed to innovation in design and in-house manufacturing technology and are right on track to our very aggressive, and very long-term business plans," said Williams. "We continue to make significant advances in our analytical tools and manufacturing processes to improve engine efficiency, thrust, and weight, and reduce operating and maintenance costs in the areas that really count for the user. It was this emphasis that put us ahead of the Soviet Union during the Cold War relative to cruise missile propulsion, and through the use of our much advanced tools of today, help us maintain our lead in the commercial marketplace," stated Williams.

Further, Williams stated, "As the aviation industry prepares to rebound, we continue to invest in its growth, and we encourage others to do the same." Companies developing new airplanes are also attracted to Williams International's product support record. Williams International has placed first in Pro Pilot magazine's comprehensive polling of product support capability and customer satisfaction for the past five years.

FMI: www.williams-int.com