Older-older vs. newer-older: room for both

Engine upgrades are expected to provide sufficient return on investment within a reasonable period of time.

The nuances associated with upgrading “older-older” engines that are typically out of production vs. “newer-older” engines that have a number of years on the clock but are still being built are not lost on the engineering community.

“We look at each program from the perspective of customer needs (and determine) which engine has the best opportunity from a customer draw perspective, and how new technology can improve the operating effectiveness of the fleet,” said Mike Field, Pratt & Whitney Vice President of Commercial Engine Programs.