Pratt & Whitney has announced the development of a new family of propulsion systems designed to power next-generation munitions and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The engines will feature scalable thrust levels between 500 and 1,800 pounds (227 to 816 kilograms), providing flexibility for a variety of aerial platforms.
The company plans to begin initial testing of the system later this year, with additional trials scheduled for early 2026 to validate its design. The propulsion family is intended for both US and international defense customers, reflecting the growing global demand for advanced unmanned and expendable systems.
According to Aviation Week, the project incorporates lessons from the TJ150 engine—widely used in decoys and munitions—as well as the GatorWorks FJ700 turbofan. While the propulsion system remains unnamed, its development is being fast-tracked to meet urgent operational needs, particularly for CCAs designed to operate alongside crewed fighter jets.
The US Air Force is the primary customer for these systems, but interest is spreading internationally. Nations such as India and Australia are pursuing CCA programs to enhance air combat capabilities, while Germany is preparing to integrate manned-unmanned teaming within its Next Generation Weapon System project, which pairs advanced fighters with CCAs.
