Pratt & Whitney tests rotating AM turbine parts for its TJ150 engine
Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business headquartered in East Hartford, Connecticut, USA, has successfully completed a series of tests on its additively manufactured TJ150 turbine wheel. According to the company, these positive results mark a significant step forward in its AM capabilities, as the turbine wheel is reportedly one of the first rotating parts to be produced by Additive Manufacturing.
The TJ150 is a compact, high-performance turbojet engine that can be manufactured quickly while meeting reliability and scalability (both production and size) requirements. With 68 kg (150 lb) of thrust, it can light and operate at high altitudes and is designed to power a variety of autonomous systems and weapons for domestic and international customers.
“Our TJ150 engines exemplify the modified off-the-shelf solutions that Pratt & Whitney has available for advanced and cost-efficient effectors at scale,” stated Chris Hugill, executive director of Pratt & Whitney Gatorworks. “Production capacity is in place today, ahead of demand, which strongly positions our TJ150 engine for a range of high-rate production scenarios.”
Pratt & Whitney Gatorworks was the driving force behind the initial TJ150 redesign, drawing on close collaboration between its technical and manufacturing teams and the RTX Technology Research Center. Leveraging a process called ‘unitisation’, engineers decreased core module part count from over fifty to just a handful, reducing production time and cost. Using in-house capabilities, they designed and tested the engine within eight months. This latest round of testing marks a significant step toward moving from static structures to rotating hardware.
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“Today we’re fielding and flying static engine parts. Rotating engine components, especially for expendable class applications, is the next step,” added Hugill. “Our testing confirms we’re on track with the engine performing at full operating speeds and temperatures and meeting expected life duration. This technology is transforming how we design, develop and deliver capabilities faster.”
