Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX, has completed a fully digital assembly-readiness review for its XA103 adaptive engine. This breakthrough is a key step in the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion program.
With this milestone, the company can now begin ordering hardware and prepare to assemble the first physical test engine later this decade.
This review signifies the end of an important design phase for the XA103 engine. The engine is being developed for future combat aircraft that could fly with or replace today’s stealth fighters in the 2030s. According to the firm, the XA103 will offer better fuel efficiency, improved thermal management, and more onboard power than current fighter engines.
