Pratt & Whitney-Powered Joint STARS Aircraft Unveiled

Jan. 20, 2009
P&W and SQS will deliver complete propulsion systems to power the U.S. Air Force's fleet of 19 Joint STARS aircraft.

EAST HARTFORD, CT -- Pratt & Whitney, in a joint venture with Seven Q Seven (SQS) of San Antonio, TX, celebrated the roll-out of the re-engined Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) aircraft along with Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force.

The Joint STARS aircraft roll out showcased the first successful re-engining of the B707-based aircraft with four JT8D-219 engines under a contract Pratt & Whitney was awarded in 2007. Pratt & Whitney and SQS will deliver complete propulsion systems to power the U.S. Air Force's fleet of 19 Joint STARS aircraft.

"We are proud of this milestone for the JT8D-219 engine and the Joint STARS aircraft," says Bev Deachin, director airlift and mobility programs. "The rollout of the Pratt & Whitney-powered aircraft puts us one step closer to providing our U.S. Air Force customer with a more efficient, powerful and dependable propulsion source for the Joint STARS."

The JT8D-219 Joint STARS engine configuration offers a cost-effective, simplified installation approach. This fuel-efficient propulsion system affords the Joint STARS aircraft fuel burn improvement, which will increase the Joint STARS time on-station in its surveillance orbit.

"Pratt & Whitney and our partner Seven Q Seven are ready to support the U.S. Air Force in its critical Joint STARS mission," says Deachin. "We are confident in our product and our team."

Production deliveries of the JT8D-219 propulsion system for the Joint STARS fleet will begin in 2010. Joint STARS aircraft, powered by Pratt & Whitney engines, are projected to be in service for more than 20 years.

Pratt & Whitney will be responsible for delivering the JT8D-219 engines and Seven Q Seven will supply the propulsion nacelle system, which includes the struts, cowl doors, inlet, reversers, and systems in collaboration with its key suppliers: Goodrich Corporation's Aerostructures team and The Nordam Group.

Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. company. SQS is an Omega Air Limited company.