RTX is well positioned to help address the climate change crisis thanks to the size and scale of our company, the ingenuity of our people and our history of rising to meet generational challenges.
We support the Air Transportation Action Group’s declaration, signed by Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney, that global civil aviation operations will achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. As an aerospace and defense manufacturer, we are taking action to reduce emissions through the products we design, develop, manufacture and support. Our innovative technologies include:
On the path to decarbonizing aviation
RTX has a broad portfolio of solutions to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the aerospace sector now and in the future.
RTX is supporting the civil aviation industry’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. To make that goal a reality, we’ll need to innovate in several areas, with multiple emissions milestones.
Continuous engine efficiency improvements
We plan to launch a hybrid electric GTF engine by 2035 that could reduce fuel burn by up to 25%, compared to a 2015 baseline. By 2050, we plan to launch advanced-cycle engines that may increase those fuel savings to 33% and could run entirely on alternative aviation fuels, including hydrogen.
Optimizing aircraft trajectory and ground operations
We are implementing next-generation technologies for air traffic and ground optimization, leading to 5% emission reductions on average per flight by 2035. By 2050, we plan to advance those technologies for an 8% emission reduction on average per flight.
Aircraft system improvements
We are optimizing the design of aircraft components and equipment to minimize weight and maximize energy efficiency, reducing fuel burn by 3% per flight by 2035. We will continue to push those advancements to achieve a fuel burn reduction of 8% per flight by 2050.
Report: Advancing sustainable aviation
An in-depth review, including our detailed roadmap to 2050, of how we're supporting the civil aviation industry's drive to decarbonize
Infographic: Sustainable aviation technology
An at-a-glance look at the technologies we're using to support the aviation industry's goal of net-zero emissions
- Pratt & Whitney is advancing its geared turbofan architecture, increasing engine efficiency through larger-diameter fans and smaller-diameter, higher-pressure-ratio turbomachinery.
- To enable those architecture improvements, our experts across the company are introducing new materials, including ceramic matrix composites, which can operate beyond the melting point of today's best nickel superalloys.
Advancing hybrid electric propulsion
- Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace, supported by the governments of Canada and Quebec, are developing a hybrid electric demonstrator on a De Havilland Dash 8 regional aircraft.
- Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace are also partnering on the hybrid-electric Scalable Turboelectric Powertrain Technology (STEP-Tech) demonstrator program, with a modular and scalable platform that can address a variety of potential applications, including advanced air mobility vehicles, high-speed eVTOL and blended wing body aircraft.
Supporting sustainable aviation fuels
Sustainable aviation fuels, or SAFs, are alternatives to fossil fuels. SAFs include biofuels, which are made from agricultural products that absorb carbon dioxide before they’re harvested. On a net basis, these fuels could reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80%. Pratt & Whitney has been active in SAF testing and certification for almost two decades, and its modern engines are compatible with the approved 50% SAF blend.
- We evaluated the compatibility of both blended and 100% SAF pathways through extensive testing of our commercial and military engines.
- We continue this effort in support of the aviation industry objective to identify multiple 100% SAFs that will minimize environmental impact, increase availability and reduce cost.
- Pratt & Whitney is partnering with Embraer on a 100% sustainable aviation fuel flight demonstration program.
Developing hydrogen propulsion concepts
Pratt & Whitney recently announced it’s developing the Hydrogen Steam Injected Intercooled Turbine Engine (HySIITE) for the U.S. Department of Energy’s ARPA-E. This engine will use liquid hydrogen combustion and water vapor recovery to achieve zero in-flight CO2 emissions, while reducing NOx emissions by up to 80% and reducing fuel consumption by up to 35%.
Evolving lighter-weight, energy-efficient systems
Making aircraft lighter can improve their fuel efficiency, increase their payload capacity and extend their range. Key efforts across our businesses to reduce aircraft weight include leveraging advanced lightweight materials and composites for structural elements that range from engine nacelles to cabin seats. We are also focused on improving energy efficiency in aircraft equipment.
- Collins Aerospace recently acquired Dutch Thermoplastics Components (DTC), a leader in the development and fabrication of structural thermoplastic composite parts – making us better able to address key areas of importance for our customers: weight reduction for fuel savings, reliability improvements and sustainable practices across the product life cycle.
- We are also reducing energy consumption in electronics, avionics, actuation, fuel systems and environmental control systems (ECS).
Optimizing routes and operations
- Collins Aerospace has upgraded aircraft avionics to enable navigation systems to harness information for optimal aircraft trajectory planning. The company’s recent acquisition of FlightAware is enabling the business to improve route efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of air travel.
- Collins Aerospace has been fielding and upgrading state-of-the-art air traffic management systems as part of the FAA Next Generation Air Transportation System portfolio to deliver trajectory-based operations capabilities and to bring more efficiency to the way controllers manage air traffic.
