Pratt & Whitney Unveils New Engine Family Thrust Range of 500 to 1,800 Pounds for Future Munitions and Combat Aircraft

Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, has announced the development of a new family of engines aimed at powering advanced munitions and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). These engines will cover a thrust range of 500 to 1,800 pounds, offering scalable and versatile solutions for emerging defence needs in both the United States and abroad.

Designed for Speed and Affordability

The engines are being developed by GATORWORKS, a special unit within Pratt & Whitney that focuses on rapid prototyping and innovation. According to Jill Albertelli, president of Pratt & Whitney’s Military Engines business, the new program emphasizes development speed, affordability, and scalability.

Key features of the design include:

• Scalable architecture – allowing the same design to be adapted for multiple applications.

• Commonality across models – meaning different variants will share many parts, reducing production and maintenance costs.

• Additive manufacturing (3D printing) – helping to shorten development cycles, lower costs, and simplify supply chains.

Albertelli highlighted that this approach will allow Pratt & Whitney to “significantly reduce development and production timelines” and deliver engines that can quickly adapt to future defence requirements.

Next Steps in Development

The first phase of testing has already begun, and a second series of trials is scheduled for early 2026. These upcoming tests will confirm key design features and validate the performance of the new engines.

If successful, the program could accelerate the introduction of advanced propulsion systems into the field, supporting both next-generation autonomous aircraft and precision-guided munitions.

Why It Matters

Engines in the 500–1,800 pound thrust class are critical for powering a wide range of future systems:

• Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA): Part of the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, CCAs are semi-autonomous aircraft designed to operate alongside manned fighters like the F-35 and the future NGAD platform. Having adaptable engines makes it easier to field drones with different payloads and mission profiles.

• Munitions and drones: Many advanced weapons and loitering munitions require lightweight, efficient engines. This new family could expand the endurance, speed, and strike range of such systems.

• International defence partnerships: By offering these engines globally, Pratt & Whitney strengthens ties with allied nations, many of which are investing in unmanned combat systems and next-gen munitions.

Pratt & Whitney’s Legacy

Founded in 1925, Pratt & Whitney is one of the world’s most established aircraft engine manufacturers. Its portfolio includes engines for commercial aircraft, military fighters, and auxiliary power units. The company currently supports over 90,000 engines in service worldwide through an extensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) network.

Pratt & Whitney is also known for engines like the F135, which powers the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter, and the GTF (Geared Turbofan) family, used in many modern commercial airliners.

RTX: A Global Defence Giant

Pratt & Whitney operates under RTX (Raytheon Technologies), the world’s largest aerospace and defence enterprise. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, RTX employs more than 185,000 people globally and reported over $80 billion in sales in 2024. Its operations are divided into three major businesses:

• Collins Aerospace – avionics, interiors, and mission systems.

• Pratt & Whitney – aircraft propulsion and auxiliary power.

• Raytheon – defence systems, sensors, and missiles.

With this strong industrial base, RTX is positioned to bring cutting-edge propulsion systems into the market faster than ever before.

As global defence strategies shift toward autonomous systems, drone swarms, and advanced precision munitions, propulsion technologies must keep pace. Pratt & Whitney’s new engine family reflects this trend, offering a faster, more adaptable, and more cost-effective solution for both U.S. and allied militaries.

The scheduled 2026 test series will be crucial in proving the design’s reliability and setting the stage for full-scale production. If successful, these engines could become a backbone for a wide array of next-generation aerial platforms.