Pratt & Whitney to establish Singapore technology accelerator

Pratt & Whitney will establish a technology accelerator in Singapore in collaboration with the Singapore Economic Development Board. Technologies developed in Singapore will be applied across Pratt & Whitney’s global maintenance, repair and overhaul footprint. The facility, serving as a center of excellence for technology advancement, will help to accelerate the development and deployment of technology insertion projects across Pratt & Whitney’s four Singapore-based MRO facilities over the next five years. The projects, expected to be worth at least S$31 million (or US$22 million), will focus on automation, advanced inspection, connected factory and digital twin, helping to enhance connectivity and intelligence across the company’s MRO operations.

The Singapore technology accelerator will be located at the Seletar Aerospace Park, within the heart of Singapore’s aerospace industry ecosystem. Expected to be ready for occupation in the fourth quarter of this year, it will add 16 new positions, which the company plans to fill with local, full-time employees.

 Gilbert Sim, director, Aftermarket Global Operations Technology and CORE, Pratt & Whitney, commented: “We are proud to work together with the Singapore Economic Development Board to develop innovative solutions for Pratt & Whitney’s MRO operations. The technology accelerator signals just how relevant and important a role technology has played, and continues to play, in the aerospace industry. Pratt & Whitney has been innovating for nearly a century, and we are looking forward to this collaboration with the Singapore aerospace ecosystem towards Industry 4.0 transformation. The push for digitalization is underway across our facilities in Singapore, and the technology accelerator will increase the speed and scalability of these technology projects. The mission of the accelerator nicely aligns with Singapore’s push to digitalize the economy.”

Kevin Kirkpatrick, vice president, Aftermarket Global Operations, Pratt & Whitney, said: “To date, our Asia-Pacific MRO facilities have done a great deal in the way of technology insertion, including developing the first-in-MRO application of 3D printing for aero-engine component details, pioneering robotics in the sector and launching an industrial simulation software pilot that has already resulted in optimized floor space and increased productivity. Our employees continue to test the limits of what is possible.”

As the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engine utilization is strong, leading the single-aisle segment recovery. Pratt & Whitney is seeing significant demand in its commercial engine MRO businesses as utilization increases and customers resume engine maintenance. When it comes to capacity, capability, sustainability and technology, Pratt & Whitney is investing and ensuring it delivers today for tomorrow’s needs.

“We are excited to collaborate with Pratt & Whitney on the Singapore Technology Accelerator that will develop MRO technologies to be deployed across its global network.” said Lim Tse Yong, Senior Vice President, Conglomerates, EDB. “Pratt & Whitney’s investment is testament to Singapore’s position as a leading aerospace hub and strong ecosystem for innovation. We will continue to partner with the aerospace industry to enable the recovery in air travel and its long-term growth.”

Pratt & Whitney is also in discussions with Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) on technology innovation. The A*STAR hosts Singapore’s aerospace program that drives innovation in emerging technologies and develops industry-relevant technologies for commercial aerospace.