The design of new airframes always depends heavily on availability of new engine types. The very light jet segment, for example, had to wait until engine manufacturers Pratt & Whitney Canada and Williams International designed smaller engines to power a new class of light jet, and the same is true on the upper end of the market, with new large jets spurring development of ever more powerful and efficient turbofans. In some cases, engine development precedes new airframe designs, and there are some engines like Snecma’s Silvercrest still looking for a home. But engine manufacturers are always looking for opportunity and remain at the ready to fill the needs of airframe manufacturers.
Williams International
Williams International (Booth No. 4140) is developing several new engine versions. Its FJ44-4 will provide 3,600 pounds of takeoff thrust for the Citation CJ4. According to company spokesman Matt Huff, the -4 is an upscale version of the FJ44-3. The twin-spool Fadec-controlled engine has a single-stage fan, three axial low-pressure (LP) compressor stages, one centrifugal high-pressure (HP) compressor stage, one HP turbine stage and two LP turbine stages. Certification is expected in the fourth quarter of this year.
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