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RTX Selected to Provide Engines and Nacelles for NASA-Boeing X-66A Project

  • 09 Oct 2023

A rendering of the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing X-66A aircraft in NASA’s Sustainable Flight Demonstrator livery. Image: Boeing image

RTX has been selected by Boeing as a key collaborator for its X-66A flight demonstrator – a vital part of NASA’s Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project. The partnership will see the involvement of two RTX business units, Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace, teaming up with Boeing to provide Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines, Collins nacelles, and engine accessories for the project. Pratt & Whitney and Collins will also play a crucial role in supporting ground and flight tests for X-66A, set to commence in 2028.

The Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project aspires to pave the way for a potential new generation of environmentally friendly single-aisle aircraft, a category that serves as the workhorse of passenger airlines worldwide. Boeing, in collaboration with NASA, will embark on the creation, testing, and flight of the X-66A, the first X-plane designed explicitly to support the United States in reaching its goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in aviation. This full-scale demonstrator aircraft is characterised by its extra-long, thin wings held stable by diagonal struts, known as a Transonic Truss-Braced Wing  (TTBW) concept.

Geoff Hunt, Senior Vice President of Engineering & Technology at Pratt & Whitney, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “NASA’s Sustainable Flight Demonstrator is a prime example of how public-private partnerships can foster technological breakthroughs needed to achieve the industry-wide goal of a more sustainable, net-zero emissions future. We will work closely with Boeing to apply GTF engines to the X-66A and demonstrate the potential of its pioneering truss-braced wing design.”

The Pratt & Whitney GTF engine, with its revolutionary geared fan architecture, touts up to 20% better fuel efficiency. These engines are also certified to operate with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and offer up to a 75% reduction in aircraft noise footprint compared to previous-generation engines. According to RTX, GTF engines have helped airlines save over 1.4 billion gallons of fuel and reduce CO2 emissions by more than 14 million metric tons since entering service in 2016.

Collins’ nacelles play a vital role in aircraft efficiency and noise reduction. Constructed from lightweight and durable composite and metallic materials, these nacelles encapsulate the engine and serve multiple functions, including engine protection, airflow control, noise reduction, and thrust reversal for deceleration during landings. Collins also contributes control system components for the GTF engine, including heat exchangers, the integrated fuel pump and control, the air turbine starter, and electronic controls.

Boeing’s Chief Technology Officer Dr Todd Citron highlighted the significance of this partnership: “The insights gained from the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator, X-66, and the partnership with NASA are crucial elements in the industry’s efforts to decarbonize aviation. We deeply appreciate RTX’s support in this critical endeavor.”

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