ATR and Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) have announced their intention to collaborate on advancing propulsion technology for regional turboprop aircraft, with the goal of supporting the future of low-emission regional aviation. The partnership builds upon the success of the PW127XT engine, currently powering ATR aircraft, and aims to extend its performance through a range of innovations. This joint effort is also expected to support the development of ATR’s future aircraft concept, the ‘EVO’.
Central to the collaboration is the ambition to enhance engine efficiency and operating economics, while reducing environmental impact. The two companies will focus on improving thermal efficiency to further lower fuel consumption, integrating advanced materials to boost engine durability and reliability—thereby cutting maintenance costs—and refining aerodynamics through improved integration of the engine, nacelle and aircraft systems.
As part of their forward-looking approach, ATR and Pratt & Whitney Canada will also explore the potential of hybrid-electric propulsion systems. This P&WC will be a key element in the feasibility study for the ATR ‘EVO’, a next-generation aircraft concept aiming to redefine sustainable regional air transport. By combining their respective expertise in airframe and propulsion technologies, the two companies intend to investigate how hybrid-electric and electrified aircraft technologies could contribute to future aircraft designs with even greater efficiency and environmental performance.
This collaboration signals a significant step in both companies’ shared commitment to sustainable aviation, positioning them at the forefront of innovation in regional aircraft propulsion.
