Pratt & Whitney's JT8D-219 to power USAF's Joint STARS fleet

East Hartford, USA: Pratt & Whitney, a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines has been selected by Northrop Grumman to supply the power plant for the United States Air Force's fleet of 19 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) aircraft. Northrop Grumman remanufactures the Boeing 707-300 series aircraft, which is the JSTARS airframe.

The existing propulsion system of the JSTARS aircraft consist of four Pratt and Whitney JT3D-3B turbojet engines.

The JSTARS is a joint development project of the US Air Force and US Army which provides an airborne, stand-off range, surveillance and target acquisition radar and command and control centre. Functionally, JSTARS provides a picture of the ground situation similar to that of the air situation provided by AWACS.

Pratt & Whitney said that it will produce and deliver the complete JT8D-219 propulsion system in a joint venture with Seven Q Seven (SQS). While Pratt & Whitney will be responsible for delivering the JT8D-219 engines, SQS will supply the propulsion pods, which includes the struts, cowl doors, inlets, reversers and systems, in collaboration with its key suppliers Goodrich Corporation and The Nordam Group.

Pratt & Whitney's JT8D-219 is a military derivative of one of the world's most popular commercial jet engines, the JT8D. According to Pratt & Whitney's William Begert, vice president, international programs and business development, with minor modifications the JT 8D-219 engine is an "incredibly versatile solution for other Boeing 707-based aircraft." The commercial-off-the-shelf, FAA-certified JT8D propulsion system is currently operating on the Boeing 727, 737, and MD 80 aircraft.

According to Pratt & Whitney, the JT8D-219 JSTARS configuration is a fuel-efficient power system that allows a 20 per cent improvement in fuel consumption, thereby increasing the time on-station for JSTARS aircraft in their surveillance orbit. Refurbished, the U.S. Air Force's 19 JSTARS aircraft are projected to continue in service for another 25 years or more.

While flying in friendly airspace, JSTARS aircraft can look deep behind hostile borders to detect and track ground movements in both forward and rear areas. Reportedly, their probe facilities extend to a range of more than 150 miles (250 km).

Pratt & Whitney military engines, such as the F100 power F-16s and F-15s. The F135 powers the F-35 Lightning II, while the F119 powers the F-22 Raptor. For military transport platforms the F117 powers the C-17 Globemaster III, while the J52 is installed on the EA-6B Prowler. The TF33, in turn, powers surveillance and bomber aircraft such as AWACS, B-52, and the KC-135. While the TF30 powers the F-111, the PT6 is installed on the T-6A and UH-1N aircraft. The JT15 is installed on the T-1A trainer and Pegasus UCAV.

Pratt & Whitney is part of United Technologies, a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.