Engines
Upbeat Engine OEMs Focus on R&D for Tomorrow
As orders pour in for existing engine models, engine OEMs are devoting time and money to developing powerplants for future net-zero airline operations.
AE 2100 hydrogen test
Rolls-Royce last November ran an AE 2100 turboprop powerplant—the engine powering the Lockheed C-130—using green hydrogen as fuel. (Photo: Rolls-Royce)

With passenger traffic rebounding strongly as the Covid-19 pandemic recedes, Rolls-Royce, GE Aerospace, CFM International, and Pratt & Whitney have seen healthy sales of their commercial-engine families.

But even as they try to recover production to 2018 and 2019 levels while fighting to surmount long-term supply-chain disruptions involving materials and critical parts, all four stand committed to conducting research and development to ensure their product lines will meet the air transport industry’s 2050 zero-net carbon emissions target.