Pratt & Whitney PT6 E-Series Engine to Increase Power of MQ-9B RPA by 33%

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) tested a PT6 E-Series model turboprop engine from Pratt & Whitney Canada on MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) on July 29.

Multiple full-power engine tests were performed at GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon flight operations facility in El Mirage, Calif.

“Integrating PT6 E-Series engine onto our MQ-9B SkyGuardian aircraft offers an alternate option for future customers that includes a 33% increase in power, dual channel electronic propeller and engine control system, as well as all the benefits of the PT6 engine family,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander.

The PT6 E-Series is a reliable and versatile turboprop engine family that will deliver the performance characteristics required as GA-ASI continues its development of MQ-9B capabilities.

MQ-9B represents the next generation of RPA system having demonstrated airborne endurance of more than 40 hours in certain configurations, automatic takeoffs and landings under SATCOM-only control, as well as a GA-ASI developed Detect and Avoid system.