Leeham News and Analysis
There's more to real news than a news release.
US House Panel approves jump in FAA budget
- AIN’s Oshkosh Air Venture show news is here.
House Panel Approves Budget Jump for FAA in 2026
House bill to provide a $23.3 billion budget for FAA in 2026
By Kerry Lynch • Editor, AIN monthly magazine
July 18, 2025
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee yesterday approved a $23.3 billion budget for the FAA in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, more than a $2.3 billion increase over the agency’s funding in the current year and including enough for the hiring of 2,500 air traffic controllers. The FY2026 transportation, housing, and urban development (THUD) bill passed 35-to-28 after a nearly eight-hour markup, drawing opposition from Democrats over funding measures primarily involving the HUD side of the bill.
The full story on AIN may be found here.
DOT Chief Continues Push for More ATC Funding
Duffy says FAA needs $31.5 billion to completely upgrade ATC
By Kerry Lynch • Editor, AIN monthly magazine
July 17, 2025
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy continued his push for further federal investment into modernization of the air traffic control system, reiterating to lawmakers yesterday that it will take $31.5 billion “to do the full project.”
Duffy appeared before the full House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to discuss a range of priorities for the Department of Transportation.
The full story on AIN may be found here.
NASA’s Quiet Supersonic Jet Completes First Taxi Tests
By Amy Wilder • Writer
July 18, 2025
NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft completed its first taxi test on July 10, the initial movement of the experimental jet under its own power. The test took place at U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, and signals the start of the final phase of ground testing before first flight.
The full story on AIN may be found here.
Pratt & Whitney Plots Next Century of Aircraft Engines
Aircraft engine maker Pratt & Whitney is celebrating its 100th anniversary today, having entered the market with its R-1340 Wasp radial engine in 1925. The company, which is now part of the RTX aerospace and defense group, has more than 90,000 engines in service worldwide on a variety of airplanes and helicopters.
The full story on AIN may be found here.
It would be great if Pratt & Whitney finally start developing a 35-45 k lbs GTF enhancement.
Taking all lessons learned from the PW1000 series, enhancing the core with new materials (CMC) from higher EGT and OPR’s and innovating new fan materials.
That would help Airbus and Boeing creating 200-300 seat short/medium range aircraft. Starting off with a 105t MTOW A322/A323 series I guess.
I think P&W has a design for that area. 5 + years back there was a lot of talk about it, I think it was around Airbus and alternative A330 engines.
Vague memories of Boeing asking for that general aspect.
I do not think there is any question P&W has looked at the GTF and worked out what they can do to maximize its economics. They made decisions on current that were deliberately conservative.
That is not the same as having a test article or prototype but I suspect they keep refining it as well.
Of course RR might do a same spec Ultrafan. Just above the LEAP & PW1000.
Aparently they study an Ultrafan 30. An “Ultrafan 40” would IMO be a etter addition.
https://www.airdatanews.com/with-the-ultrafan-30-rolls-royce-wants-to-power-narrow-body-jets-again/
(A322/323 sketch I made ages ago), Its not in Bjorn / Scotts holiday behind paywall series 😉 : https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w0yvq58-h2M/WVuATjJFU0I/AAAAAAAABK4/RKFBEiw4WT83RjRqZa3UdwaP8kURPFHOQCLcBGAs/s1600/Airbus%2BBoeing%2BA322%2BMoM%2BConcept%2Bkeesje%2B737%2BMAX%2BA320NEO.jpg
The PW1100G has a thrust range 24k-35k lbs and has 81 in diameter fan
The RR Ultra ’30’ is likely a middle point of the thrust range and is suggested its fan diameter is 90 in. So far its only partner is Liebherr Aerospace for the gearbox but they are wanting others for the risk share development costs. Hard to know if there’s any partners left that arent committed to GTF or Leap.
MTU seems a logical partner. They are into the PW1000 but also into LEAP aftermarket. And long term partner JAEC group (Japan) will no doubt be interested, or already involved..