Overview
- Pratt & Whitney, which on Monday finished a fully digital assembly readiness review for the XA103, will now order parts and prepare the first test engine.
- Engineers ran the review entirely with software that checked assembly steps, part fit tolerances and whether each piece can be made, cutting risk before metal is cut.
- Testing of the first XA103 is planned for the late 2020s, following supplier builds and assembly that start with this procurement phase.
- The adaptive design is meant to boost range, cooling capacity, onboard power and survivability so future fighters can run more sensors and electronics without overheating.
- The effort is part of the Air Force’s NGAP program, which funds Pratt & Whitney and GE Aerospace in a head-to-head path that began with $975 million awards in 2022 and could decide engines for 2030s combat aircraft.