Will Support The Re-Engining Of Boeing 707s And Derivatives

Pratt & Whitney has received FAA certification for several enhancements for the JT8D-219 engine. These enhancements successfully completed 150 hours of endurance testing in May, clearing the way for final certification of the upgrades early November. "The JT8D is a major part of Pratt & Whitney's history; improving its reliability and modernizing its capability will keep it a viable engine for years to come," says Rick Krueger, chief engineer for Pratt & Whitney's Operational Commercial Engines.

JT8D Engine File Image

The overall project includes several configuration updates: a nickel high-pressure compressor rotor system that provides enhanced corrosion resistance, external changes to accommodate mounting the engine under the wing, an enhanced bleed override system, and higher load-carrying towershaft and gearbox elements to accommodate increased power extraction.

The JT8D-219 engine will be offered to support B707 re-engining via the Supplemental Type Certificate approved by the FAA for Pratt & Whitney's Joint Venture partner, Seven Q Seven, on July 20, 2010. Seven Q Seven is a San Antonio, Texas-based company that converts and upgrades aircraft, primarily Boeing 707s, for commercial and military support applications.

The first enhanced JT8D-219 engine is on track to be delivered to Northrop Grumman in February, in support of re-engining the USAF E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) aircraft. The E-8C is a modified B707-300.

B-707

"Pratt & Whitney is excited to provide the enhanced JT8D-219 configuration, which will provide improved mission capability to the Joint STARS platform," says Bev Deachin, vice president Military Engines and Customer Support. "Joint STARS will benefit from the significantly reduced fuel consumption and additional thrust. Joint STARS is the only all weather, long-range, real-time Wide Area Surveillance (WAS) and Battle Management System. The fleet operates out of Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and plays a significant role in supporting ground and airborne forces."

The JT8D-219 engines will be assembled and tested in Pratt & Whitney's Middletown, Conn., facility. If the U.S. Air Force chose to retrofit its entire Joint STARS fleet, production quantities could result in excess of 80 engines.

FMI: www.pw.utc.com