Industry Perspective: Pratt & Whitney Canada
We hear a lot about turbofan engine research, in such things as unducted fans, open-rotor designs and geared turbofans.

We hear a lot about turbofan engine research, in such things as unducted fans, open-rotor designs and geared turbofans. Where is rotorcraft engine technology headed?

Helicopters take a lot of power on takeoff and use a lot less in cruise, which means that a helicopter is forced to carry a much bigger engine than it needs at cruise. So the basic question is, how do you design a powerplant that can accommodate both? That’s the big difference between turboshaft engines and turbofan engines.