SNECMA AND Pratt & Whitney Canada have formally signed a collaborative deal to develop, manufacture, market and support the SPW14 turbofan engine family in the 53-70kN (12,000-16,000lb)-thrust range. Development will be performed by a new joint-venture company to be created for the task.
The planned engine was first revealed earlier this year and will be offered with a guarantee of 10,000h interval between major overhaul and inspection "-out of the box; we believe that's a first for the industry", says P&WC chairman and chief executive, David Caplan.
The engine is one of several "would-be" competitors in the emerging regional-aircraft market and faces an uncertain future with no launch order and no airframe. P&WC and Snecma are nonetheless apparently committed to the engine development.
Source: Flight International
