Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-62 Engine Chosen for Argentine Airforce Pucara Aircraft Powerplant Upgrade Program

Nov. 2, 2011
PT6A-62 engine has been selected by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the powerplant upgrade of the twin-engine Pucara aircraft program for the Argentine Air Force.

LONGUEUIL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Nov. 1, 2011) - Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) announced today that its PT6A-62 engine has been selected by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the powerplant upgrade of the twin-engine Pucara aircraft program for the Argentine Air Force. P&WC is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.

Manufactured in the 1970s and 1980s by Fabrica Militar de Aviones (a predecessor company to FAdeA), the Pucara is a counter-insurgency (COIN) aircraft. The Argentine military currently has approximately 30 of the Pucara aircraft in service.

"The PT6A-62 is the only off-the-shelf engine that is able to meet the stringent requirements of FAdeA," said Michael Perodeau, vice president, corporate aviation and military programs, P&WC. "With the PT6A-62's proven performance and reliability and its aerobatic capability and electronic engine control, the engine upgrades can take place quickly and with less program risk for FAdeA, which were important considerations for the Argentine military."

"FAdeA is confident in the choice and we believe this announcement will ensure our program's success," stated Emilio Maligno, business development manager, FAdeA. "P&WC paid close attention to our needs and the PT6A-62 engine fulfils all requirements of maintainability, reliability and availability; key features for our customers."

"PT6 engines are used by 7,000 operators around the globe and stand as a testament to how P&WC reinvents its products to meet emerging customer needs," said Perodeau. "Although other engine OEMs have tried, none have come close to matching the versatility and reliability of the PT6. We have consistently taken advantage of aerodynamic and material technology advancements to enhance the performance of the PT6 without significantly increasing its size."

There are currently some 27,000 PT6 engines in operation today and it has booked a remarkable 350 million hours of flight. From flying in the Antarctic at 75 degrees below zero to supporting environmental efforts in reforestation programs, the adaptability of the PT6 engine continues to earn the respect and loyalty of pilots worldwide.

About Pratt & Whitney Canada

Founded in 1928, and a global leader in aerospace, Pratt & Whitney Canada is shaping the future of business aviation with dependable, high-technology engines. Every second, a P&WC-powered aircraft takes off or lands somewhere in the world. P&WC's engines, with more than 570 million hours in the air, are the industry benchmark for innovative design, dispatch reliability, operating economics and easy maintenance. P&WC is firmly committed to ensuring that its products are designed, produced and operated while minimizing environmental impacts throughout their life cycle.

There are currently more than 47,000 engines in service on over 25,000 aircraft operated by some 10,000 operators in 200 countries. The most extensive support network in the industry, which includes more than 30 company-owned and -designated service facilities, supports this global fleet.

P&WC has been taking front-line services to the next level with its Customer First Centre (CFirst). CFirst brings together a multidisciplinary and multilingual support team to resolve issues so that customers can return to service quickly. CFirst handles more than 100,000 contacts every year.

Based in Longueuil, Quebec (Canada), P&WC is a United Technologies Corp. company (NYSE:UTX). UTC is a diversified company providing high-technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.