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EAST HARTFORD, Conn: Northrop Grumman has selected Pratt & Whitney to power the United States Air Force's fleet of 19 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) aircraft. Pratt & Whitney, in a joint venture with Seven Q Seven (SQS), will produce and deliver the complete JT8D-219 propulsion system. Pratt & Whitney is a unit of United Technologies Corp.
“We are proud to be selected as the propulsion system provider for the Joint STARS fleet by Northrop Grumman and the US Air Force,” said William Begert, vice president, international programs and business development, Pratt & Whitney. “The selection of the JT8D-219 engine demonstrates that our propulsion system is the most cost-effective approach to meet the requirements of the Joint STARS aircraft for the US Air Force.” Pratt & Whitney will be responsible for delivering the JT8D-219 engines and SQS will supply the propulsion pods, which includes the struts, cowl doors, inlets, reversers and systems, in collaboration with its key suppliers Goodrich Corporation and The Nordam Group.
Pratt & Whitney's JT8D-219 is the military derivative of one of the world's most popular commercial jet engines. “With minor modifications, the JT8D-219 engine is an incredibly versatile solution for other Boeing 707-based aircraft,” said Begert. The commercial-off-the-shelf, FAA-certified JT8D propulsion system is currently operating on the Boeing 727, 737, and MD80 aircraft.
The JT8D-219 Joint STARS configuration offers a cost-effective, simplified installation approach with a shorter time-to-climb to altitudes of up to 42,000 feet with no radar interference. This fuel-efficient power system affords a 20 percent fuel burn improvement, which increases the Joint STARS time on-station in its surveillance orbit. Powered by Pratt & Whitney engines, the US Air Force's 19 Joint STARS aircraft are projected to be in service for another 25 years or more.
Pratt & Whitney military engines include the F100 that powers the F-16 and F-15, the F135 for the F-35 Lightning II; F119 for the F-22 Raptor; F117 for the C-17 Globemaster III; J52 for the EA-6B Prowler; TF33 powering AWACS, Joint STARS, B-52, and KC-135 aircraft; TF30 for the F-111; PT6 for T-6A and UH-1N aircraft; and JT15 for the T-1A trainer and Pegasus UCAV.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.
