ESM is innovating for the future of flight
With Pratt & Whitney’s more efficient engines and advanced propulsion concepts, and Collins Aerospace’s lighter weight, energy-efficient systems and intelligent route optimization, RTX is investing in technologies for the future of flight:
Engine Efficiency
Hybrid electric propulsion
Synthetic aviation fuels
Hydrogen propulsion
lighter weight systems
Optimizing routes and operations
Improving engine fuel efficiency
Pratt & Whitney pioneered the GTF engine, delivering a 16-20% improvement in fuel efficiency for single aisle aircraft, while reducing NOx emissions by 50%, and noise footprint by 75%. The GTF provides the foundational architecture for maximizing propulsive efficiency, allowing even greater improvements in efficiency in years to come.
Advancing hybrid electric propulsion
RTX is advancing hybrid-electric propulsion through its regional turboprop flight demonstrator. Hybrid-electric engine configurations provide opportunities to optimize performance and further reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 30% compared to today’s most advanced regional turboprops.
Supporting synthetic aviation fuels
Synthetic aviation fuels, or SAFs, are alternatives to fossil fuels. SAFs include biofuels, which are made from agricultural products that absorb carbon dioxide before they’re harvested. Pratt & Whitney has been active in SAF testing and certification for almost two decades, and its modern engines are compatible with the approved 50% SAF blend.
Developing hydrogen propulsion concepts
Pratt & Whitney first demonstrated a hydrogen-burning aircraft engine, which produces no carbon emissions, in the 1950s. Today, we are developing concepts for next-generation hydrogen engines and reimagining airframes to meet the engineering challenge of properly storing the fuel.
Evolving lighter-weight, energy-efficient systems
Making aircraft lighter can improve their fuel efficiency, increase their payload capacity and extend their range. Key efforts across our businesses to reduce aircraft weight include leveraging advanced lightweight materials and composites for structural elements that range from engine nacelles to cabin seats. We are also focused on improving energy efficiency in aircraft equipment.
Optimizing routes and operations
We are optimizing air traffic and flight operations to improve aircraft fuel economy. This will allow for flight trajectories to follow near-optimal routes, at near-optimal altitudes and speeds during all phases of flight, which will reduce delays and fuel consumption.
What we do
Progress is not automatic. It is initiated – by tirelessly asking the hard questions and finding answers. In our digital engineering hubs, research labs and advanced manufacturing facilities, our researchers and engineers are pushing the limits of known science.
For our global workforce of innovative thinkers, progress defines the future – and it defines us.
Meet Our Talented Team Members
Airports
- Airport operations
- Baggage systems
- Passenger processing solutions
Flight systems
- Business aviation
- Business aviation engines
- Commercial aviation
- Commercial engines
Airspace
- Advanced air mobility
- Airspace modernization
- Skyler
Analytics
- Ascentia Analytics Services
- EngineWise
- FlightSense
Who we are
We design. We engineer. We code. We research. We patent. We test. We learn. We iterate. We manufacture. We produce.
We create breakthroughs that protect and connect our world – from seabed to space, and everywhere in between.
We are RTX: a team of explorers united in our goal to push the boundaries of known science – and solve the world’s most complex problems.
Transformative technologies
We're developing products, systems and concepts to help our customers meet their most critical needs.
Smarter defense systems
We’re enhancing total defense capabilities for allied nations around the globe.