Pratt & Whitney, MTU Aero Engines Complete First Production PW6000

EAST HARTFORD , Conn., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), and MTU Aero Engines have completed assembly of the first production PW6000 for the Airbus A318. The engine, finished at MTU's facility in Langenhagen, Germany, will power the first A318 delivered to LAN Airlines of Chile.

"The ramp up to production of the PW6000 has gone very well and delivery of the first engines to Airbus is on schedule," said Tom Pelland, PW6000 program director for Pratt & Whitney. "The completion of the first production PW6000 demonstrates the continued momentum of this program and is a testament to the excellent collaboration between Pratt & Whitney, MTU and MHI."

MTU of Germany produces the PW6000's high pressure compressor and low pressure turbine. MHI of Japan provides the engine's diffuser module. The PW6000 is designed to provide the lowest total cost of ownership for the 100-passenger aircraft market and offers a thrust range of 18,000 to 24,000 pounds. The engine was designed for long on-wing time and reliability in the demanding, high-cycle operating environment of the single- aisle aircraft. The design of the engine provides the highest level of maintainability on-wing, critical in a market segment with very short turn times between flights. The PW6000 meets or exceeds all existing worldwide environmental regulations as well as currently known standards that will apply in the future. In December 2005, the PW6000 achieved European Aviation Safety Administration certification on the A318.

PW6000 launch customer LAN Airlines has ordered 44 engines with the potential for up to 78 total engines if all options are exercised. Several additional customers are currently evaluating PW6000-powered A318 aircraft and A318 Elite business jets.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies provides high-technology products and services to the aerospace and building industries.

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