RTX’s Pratt & Whitney wraps all-digital assembly readiness review for NGAP engine

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., May 8, 2026 — Pratt & Whitney has completed a fully digital technical assessment of its XA103 engine for the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program, reaching an assembly readiness review that advances the effort from digital design to procuring and producing physical hardware.

“This milestone demonstrates Pratt & Whitney’s investment in digital infrastructure, showcasing seamlessly integrated digital capabilities and reinforcing our strong collaboration with the U.S. Air Force,” said Jill Albertelli, president of Pratt & Whitney’s Military Engines business. “As we move forward with assembling our engine for testing, our NGAP team is simultaneously developing novel digital validation tools. The performance we expect this engine to deliver exceeds anything available today, reinforcing the critical importance of continuous improvement and stable investment in maintaining propulsion as a strategic competitive advantage.”

The XA103’s adaptive design is intended to deliver advanced survivability, improved fuel efficiency, and robust power and thermal management for next-generation platforms to meet evolving operational needs. Pratt & Whitney’s NGAP team is working with suppliers to procure components for assembly, with engine testing expected in the late 2020s.