Pratt & Whitney is an aircraft-engine manufacturer and an RTX business. Its activities include designing, manufacturing and servicing engines and auxiliary power units for civil and military aviation. The aircraft-engine company was established in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1925, and should be distinguished from the older precision-machinery company from which it obtained its name.[1]Pratt & WhitneyPratt & Whitney / RTX · rtx.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[2]July 22, 1925: The Beginning of a Great and Ongoing StoryPratt & Whitney · prattwhitney.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Foundation and the Wasp
Frederick B. Rentschler founded Pratt & Whitney Aircraft on 22 July 1925 after securing financial and factory support for a new air-cooled radial engine. The first Wasp engine ran on 24 December that year. The aircraft company used the Pratt & Whitney name to identify the new venture but added “Aircraft” to distinguish it from the existing machinery business. The R-1340 Wasp established the firm's early place in commercial and military aviation.[2]July 22, 1925: The Beginning of a Great and Ongoing StoryPratt & Whitney · prattwhitney.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[3]Our StoryPratt & Whitney / RTX · rtx.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Expansion into turbine engines
The Canadian division was established in 1928, extending the organisation beyond its American origins. In 1944, Pratt & Whitney began a gas-turbine and jet-propulsion initiative, supported by new research facilities. Its modern range includes large turbofans as well as the smaller engines associated with Pratt & Whitney Canada. The corporate name therefore covers several product classes; it does not indicate one common engine configuration or one aircraft application.[3]Our StoryPratt & Whitney / RTX · rtx.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[1]Pratt & WhitneyPratt & Whitney / RTX · rtx.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Commercial and military turbofans
The PW1000G Geared Turbofan family is a principal commercial programme. Pratt & Whitney also produces and sustains the F135, which powers the single-engine F-35 Lightning II manufactured by Lockheed Martin. These programmes serve different requirements even though both are gas-turbine propulsion systems. RTX's reporting distinguishes engine production from sustainment, reflecting the continuing engineering and maintenance responsibility associated with a powerplant after it enters airline or military service.[4]2025 annual reportRTX · investors.rtx.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Canadian products and support
Pratt & Whitney Canada's products include the PT6 E-Series and PW127XT, while the wider catalogue also features the PW800. The PT6 E-Series introduced integrated electronic control of the propeller and engine in the general-aviation turboprop segment. Service offerings include commercial-engine support, Canadian-engine services and military sustainment. These activities place engine inspection, repair, parts supply and operational support alongside new-engine manufacturing, helping operators maintain installed powerplants throughout their service lives.[1]Pratt & WhitneyPratt & Whitney / RTX · rtx.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[5]PT6 E-Series milestonePratt & Whitney / RTX · rtx.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details