RTX’s Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney and TU Delft enhance collaboration on commercial aerospace technology research

DELFT, Netherlands (September 16, 2024) - Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney and Delft University of Technology, have signed a master research agreement (MRA) enabling bilateral collaboration across a range of sustainable aviation research opportunities, including advanced materials, hydrogen propulsion, advanced manufacturing and industrial design. Through the strategic framework of the MRA, Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney will initiate multiple research projects involving TU Delft graduate research facilities, students and staff over the next five years. Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney are RTX businesses.

“Collaboration between RTX engineers and university research institutions plays an important role in developing our understanding of emerging technologies, while also supporting the next generation of talent that will drive our industry forward,” said Michael Winter, RTX Chief Science Officer. “Our MRA with TU Delft – our first agreement of its kind with a European university institution – will focus on advancing technologies to support more sustainable aviation, which is key to the future of our industry.”

Among the first projects initiated as part of the MRA, Collins and TU Delft are collaborating on a high speed intelligent inspection system to enhance manufacturing processes for lightweight and recyclable aircraft materials. Pratt & Whitney and TU Delft will develop novel engine configurations that utilize thermal energy recovery technologies in order to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions for commercial aircraft.

“We’re excited and very happy to sign this new agreement. It gives us the opportunity to step up our collaboration on sustainable aviation with the engineering teams of Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney,” said Professor Henri Werij, Dean of the faculty of Aerospace Engineering at TU Delft. “Collaboration with leading aerospace companies is absolutely crucial to take the necessary steps towards reaching the goal of climate-neutral aviation by 2050.” 

The new research agreement builds on long-standing engagement between Collins, Pratt & Whitney and TU Delft, including through European framework program such as Clean Aviation, under which Collins and TU Delft are part of the COCOLIH2T  project, aimed at developing technologies for storing liquid hydrogen fuel on commercial aircraft. The companies sponsor TU Delft’s aerospace student association VSV Leonardo da Vinci and facilities, there is a close collaboration with the Aerospace Innovation Hub at TU Delft, as well as regular internship opportunities at Collins Aerospace’s aircraft interiors development facility in Houten, Netherlands.

TU Delft: impact for a more sustainable society.  
TU Delft in the Netherlands houses one of the world’s most comprehensive and highly ranked academic and innovation ecosystems on sustainable aviation. In all eight faculties – including the dedicated faculty of Aerospace Engineering - work is done that contributes to sustainable aviation, ranging from the sustainable production, maintenance and circular life cycle of aircraft, highly energy efficient aircraft designs, to propulsion technology and energy carriers, green ATM and sustainable airports to multimodal transport and fundamental research into the climate effects of the system. This enables us to work from a systems approach on minimizing the climate impact of the entire aviation system. In total the university has more than 26,000 Bachelor and Master students, of which almost 3,000 Aerospace Engineering students and close to 8,000 staff.

About RTX
With more than 185,000 global employees, RTX pushes the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2023 sales of $69 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

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