EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Nov. 12, 2009 – Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower® PW1000G engine has been recognized by Popular Science Magazine with a 2009 “Best of What’s New Award.”  Popular Science, the world’s largest science and technology magazine with 7.1 million readers, named the PW1000G engine as one of the top technological advancements in the Aviation & Space category in 2009.  Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.

“For 22 years, Popular Science has honored the innovations that surprise and amaze us – those that make a positive impact on our world today and challenge our views of what’s possible in the future,” said Mark Jannot, editor-in-chief of Popular Science. “The Best of What’s New Award is the magazine’s top honor, and the 100 winners – chosen from among thousands of entrants – represent the highest level of achievement in their fields.”

The PurePower PW1000G engine is an all-new centerline engine that includes flight proven, next generation technology.  The PurePower PW1000G features an advanced gear system that allows the engine’s fan to operate at a slower speed than the low-pressure compressor and turbine.  The combination of the gear system and all-new advanced core delivers double-digit improvements in fuel efficiency and environmental emissions and a 50 percent reduction in noise. 

“The entire Pratt & Whitney team is thrilled that the Popular Science selection committee has recognized the PurePower PW1000G engine for its game-changing technology,” said Bob Saia, vice president, Pratt & Whitney Next Generation Product Family.  “The PurePower engine is a truly comprehensive solution to the economic and environmental challenges facing our industry and we are excited to deliver double-digit improvements in fuel burn, environmental emissions, engine noise and operating costs to our customers around the world.” 

The editors of Popular Science review thousands of products in search of the top 100 innovations and technologies that represent a significant leap in their respective industries.  Best of What’s New winners are included in Popular Science’s December issue, which is the most widely read issue of the year.  Best of What’s New awards are presented to 100 new products and technologies in 11 categories: Automotive, Aviation & Space, Computing, Engineering, Gadgets, Green Technology, Home Entertainment, Security, Home Technology, Personal Health and Recreation.

In addition to this Popular Science award, Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower engine family also received the 2009 Aviation Week Laureate Award for outstanding achievement in Aeronautics and Propulsion and the 2008 Technology Breakthrough Award from the China Aviation Association and AVIC Science and Technology department.  The engine team also is a finalist for 2009 Flight Global Innovator of the Year, to be announced Nov. 14, and was recognized by Pratt & Whitney parent corporation United Technologies with its 2009 Board of Directors Trophy, which recognizes the qualification of a significant new product family.

Source: Pratt & Whitney