ATR partners with Pratt & Whitney Canada on future turboprop engines

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ATR partners with Pratt & Whitney Canada on future turboprop engines

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ATR and RTX's Pratt & Whitney Canada | RTX

By Sky Industry News

Jun 19, 2025

As the Paris Air Show commenced, ATR and RTX, the parent company of Pratt & Whitney Canada, announced a collaboration to develop next-generation turboprop engines. This partnership aims to leverage both companies' expertise in creating advanced turboprop airliners.

ATR is a joint venture between Airbus and Leonardo, known for producing regional turboprops like the ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600, currently powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW127XT engines. The PW127XT is derived from the PW100 family, first introduced in 1981. Pratt & Whitney Canada plans to enhance thermal efficiency by increasing internal temperatures, which will improve fuel efficiency and field performance.

Pratt & Whitney Canada is also exploring advanced materials such as carbon-composite and ceramic matrix composites to reduce engine weight and increase durability. It remains uncertain whether this study will lead to a new PW100 variant or an entirely new engine design.

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ATR's role in this project includes assessing nacelle design, airframe integration, and improving engine aerodynamics. By collaborating with Pratt & Whitney Canada, ATR aims to refine its existing aircraft models.

Currently, ATR's aircraft are the only turboprop airliners produced in their size class. The De Havilland Dash 8 series has been out of production for nearly three years but may resume construction by 2033.

The ATR EVO concept represents a potential refresh for the ATR line with updates like a new eight-blade propeller and Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC). A significant innovation would be integrating a hybrid propulsion system using batteries—a technology that promises reduced fuel consumption but remains untested on commercial aircraft. Pratt & Whitney Canada is testing this concept with a De Havilland Dash 8-100.

Hybrid-electric planes could revolutionize regional aviation if proven viable, offering promising advancements beyond traditional engine developments.