Pratt & Whitney has partnered with Prague‑based PBS Group to develop a next‑generation auxiliary power unit that is lighter, more compact and capable of high‑altitude operation. The APU targets small military and civil platforms — fighters, rotorcraft and business jets — with cooperation supported by the Ministry of Defense.
Discovered |
Briefing
The partner brings production scale and U.S. presence: PBS recently established its U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility to scale turbojet production, which could accelerate industrialisation and supply for a new APU program.
Aftermarket implications: Pratt & Whitney is already active in APU/engine lifecycle contracts — see its 15‑year APS5000 maintenance agreement — so a new APU affects MRO planning, spares provisioning and long‑term support models.
Operational and competitive stakes are high: recent moves such as the USAF restricting use of the KC‑46 APU and Honeywell’s APU selection for Bell’s FLRAA underscore how APU performance, reliability and supplier choice materially affect platform availability and program competition.
Reported By
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Pratt & Whitney begins development of lighter, high‑altitude capable auxiliary power unit • aerospaceglobalnews.com
FlightGlobal
• Dominic Perry
Pratt & Whitney and PBS to develop next-generation auxiliary power unit • arabiandefence.com
Pratt & Whitney partners with PBS Group on next-generation auxiliary power unit • defence-industry.eu