Will Support The Re-Engining Of Boeing 707s And
Derivatives
Pratt & Whitney has received FAA certification for several
enhancements for the JT8D-219 engine. These enhancements
successfully completed 150 hours of endurance testing in May,
clearing the way for final certification of the upgrades early
November. "The JT8D is a major part of Pratt & Whitney's
history; improving its reliability and modernizing its capability
will keep it a viable engine for years to come," says Rick Krueger,
chief engineer for Pratt & Whitney's Operational Commercial
Engines.
JT8D Engine File Image
The overall project includes several configuration updates: a
nickel high-pressure compressor rotor system that provides enhanced
corrosion resistance, external changes to accommodate mounting the
engine under the wing, an enhanced bleed override system, and
higher load-carrying towershaft and gearbox elements to accommodate
increased power extraction.
The JT8D-219 engine will be offered to support B707 re-engining
via the Supplemental Type Certificate approved by the FAA for Pratt
& Whitney's Joint Venture partner, Seven Q Seven, on July 20,
2010. Seven Q Seven is a San Antonio, Texas-based company that
converts and upgrades aircraft, primarily Boeing 707s, for
commercial and military support applications.
The first enhanced JT8D-219 engine is on track to be delivered
to Northrop Grumman in February, in support of re-engining the USAF
E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS)
aircraft. The E-8C is a modified B707-300.
B-707
"Pratt & Whitney is excited to provide the enhanced JT8D-219
configuration, which will provide improved mission capability to
the Joint STARS platform," says Bev Deachin, vice president
Military Engines and Customer Support. "Joint STARS will benefit
from the significantly reduced fuel consumption and additional
thrust. Joint STARS is the only all weather, long-range, real-time
Wide Area Surveillance (WAS) and Battle Management System. The
fleet operates out of Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and plays a
significant role in supporting ground and airborne forces."
The JT8D-219 engines will be assembled and tested in Pratt &
Whitney's Middletown, Conn., facility. If the U.S. Air Force chose
to retrofit its entire Joint STARS fleet, production quantities
could result in excess of 80 engines.