RTX's Pratt & Whitney accelerates development of NGAP engine

Rhea-AI Summary

RTX (NYSE: RTX) subsidiary Pratt & Whitney is advancing the development of its XA103 engine for the U.S. Air Force's Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program through enhanced digital capabilities. The company has invested over $30 million this year in model-based environments to improve propulsion design accuracy.

The digital initiative has doubled the delivery rate of XA103 technical data packages, enabling faster development, cost reduction, and increased design efficiency. The project involves collaboration among over 1,000 engineers and support staff, working with more than 100 domestic suppliers. The XA103 engine prototype is scheduled for testing in the late 2020s, with the program currently progressing toward its Assembly Readiness Review.

Positive

• Self-investment of over $30 million in model-based environment development
• Doubled delivery rate of XA103 technical data packages
• Engagement of over 100 domestic suppliers and 1,000 engineers indicating strong project scale
• Digital improvements leading to reduced costs and increased design efficiency

Negative

• Extended timeline with testing not expected until late 2020s
• Significant investment required in digital infrastructure

Insights

Aerospace Engineering Expert

RTX's digital transformation is accelerating XA103 engine development, doubling technical data delivery rates while investing $30M in model-based design improvements.

Pratt & Whitney's digital transformation of the XA103 engine development process represents a significant advancement in aerospace engineering methodology. The implementation of comprehensive digital data packages and model-based design is doubling the delivery rate of technical data packages, which typically translates to substantial time and cost savings in complex military propulsion programs.

The company's $30 million self-investment in their model-based environment this year demonstrates serious commitment to digital engineering transformation. This approach creates a digital thread connecting over 1,000 engineers, support staff, and more than 100 domestic suppliers, enabling concurrent engineering that historically would have happened sequentially.

The XA103 engine for the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program represents cutting-edge military propulsion technology. Adaptive engines can dynamically optimize performance characteristics (thrust, fuel efficiency, thermal management) based on mission requirements - a significant technical challenge requiring sophisticated modeling capabilities.

The upcoming Assembly Readiness Review milestone will be crucial as it validates whether the digital models can successfully transition to physical prototyping. With testing expected in the late 2020s, this accelerated digital approach could potentially reduce traditional development timelines by 1-3 years, giving RTX competitive advantages in the highly specialized military propulsion market while potentially reducing program risks that typically plague advanced engine development.

Advanced digital models improve data sharing internally and with suppliers

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, is accelerating the development of its XA103 engine for the U.S. Air Force's Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program with the use of digital data packages.

By setting stringent digital requirements for their supply base and internal teams and distributing advanced digital design models, Pratt & Whitney is shortening development times, reducing costs and increasing design efficiency. These comprehensive packages enable rapid design iteration, easier integration with supplier systems, improved resource forecasting for manufacturing, and accelerated digital model testing and validation.

"We are paving the way with digital on NGAP, so much so that the rate at which we are delivering XA103 technical data packages has doubled," said Jill Albertelli, president of Pratt & Whitney's Military Engines business. "Model-based design ties all the puzzle pieces together, fostering constant collaboration, and we are applying these learnings across our engine portfolio."

In addition to RTX investment and work completed under government contracts, Pratt & Whitney has self-invested more than $30 million this year to further develop its model-based environment, which significantly improves the accuracy of propulsion design, including XA103. Driving quality work faster across the value stream – including more than 1,000 engineers and support staff, the customer, and over 100 domestic suppliers – will deliver XA103's adaptive technology at the speed of relevance.

Pratt & Whitney's NGAP team is working toward the next major milestone for the program, the Assembly Readiness Review, which will validate the timeline for the prototype's build and test. The XA103 engine is expected to test in the late 2020s.

About Pratt & Whitney 
Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units for military, commercial and civil aviation customers. Since 1925, our engineers have pioneered the development of revolutionary aircraft propulsion technologies, and today we support more than 90,000 in-service engines through our global network of maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities.

About RTX
RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. With more than 185,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems for operational success, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2024 sales of more than $80 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact corporatepr@rtx.com.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rtxs-pratt--whitney-accelerates-development-of-ngap-engine-302563905.html

SOURCE RTX

FAQ

What is RTX's Pratt & Whitney XA103 engine program?

The XA103 is an advanced engine being developed for the U.S. Air Force's Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program, utilizing digital data packages and model-based design for enhanced development efficiency.

How much has RTX invested in the XA103 engine development in 2025?

RTX's Pratt & Whitney has self-invested more than $30 million in 2025 to develop its model-based environment for propulsion design, including the XA103 engine.

When will RTX's XA103 engine testing begin?

The XA103 engine is scheduled for testing in the late 2020s, with the program currently progressing toward its Assembly Readiness Review milestone.

How many suppliers and engineers are involved in RTX's XA103 engine program?

The program involves more than 1,000 engineers and support staff, working alongside over 100 domestic suppliers.

What improvements has RTX achieved in XA103 engine development?

RTX has doubled the delivery rate of XA103 technical data packages through digital initiatives, leading to shorter development times, reduced costs, and increased design efficiency.