United Technologies unit Pratt & Whitney (P&W) has concluded ground testing of its next-generation Geared Turbofan (GTF) engine propulsor technology in West Palm Beach, Florida, US.

The test was conducted as part of the US Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) programme, a FAA NextGen initiative that seeks to expedite the development of environmentally friendly aircraft technologies.

The full-scale test continued for more than 175h and was built upon the 275h-long fan rig testing of the technology conducted in 2014 and 2015.

“The success of this ground test is an important step in taking our GTF engine technology to the next level.”

A development engine from a certified Geared TurboFan product was used to confirm the performance of a second-generation, ultra-high bypass fan design.

The engine product successfully operated in the new design features less lower-pressure ratio blades than the current production engine and a shorter duct inlet.

The tests are estimated to demonstrate a set of technologies that will help reduce fuel consumption by 2% more than the current generation of GTF engines.

United Technologies’ computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools were used to mature the new engine propulsor technology.

The tools are designed to offer accurate predictions and design guidance to allow rig-to-engine scalability, as well as improved performance to the engine and can help meet FAA’s CLEEN goals.

P&W technology and environment vice-president Alan Epstein said: “The success of this ground test is an important step in taking our GTF engine technology to the next level.

“We are working to make sure the next-generation GTF engine, already a game-changer, remains on the cutting edge of performance and sustainability.”

In addition, P&W has collaborated with FAA to advance a compressor and turbine technology as part of the CLEEN II programme, a follow-on project aiming to develop and demonstrate aircraft technology and alternative jet fuels.