Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney are digging deep into sustainable aviation technology with the master research agreement (MRA) with Delft University (TU Delft). This partnership will facilitate collaborative research across a spectrum of innovative areas, including advanced materials, hydrogen propulsion, advanced manufacturing, and industrial design, over the next five years.
The agreement lays the groundwork for several research initiatives. Among the initial projects, Collins Aerospace and TU Delft are set to collaborate on a high-speed intelligent inspection system designed to enhance manufacturing processes for lightweight and recyclable aircraft materials. Meanwhile, Pratt & Whitney and TU Delft will work on novel engine configurations that leverage thermal energy recovery technologies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions in commercial aviation.
Michael Winter, Chief Science Officer of RTX, emphasized the importance of such collaborations, “Partnerships between RTX engineers and university research institutions are crucial for deepening our understanding of emerging technologies while nurturing the next generation of talent in the aerospace industry. Our MRA with TU Delft, our first agreement with a European university, is focused on developing technologies that will drive more sustainable aviation—an essential goal for the future of our industry.”
Professor Henri Werij, Dean of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at TU Delft, expressed enthusiasm for the agreement, “This collaboration allows us to enhance our efforts in sustainable aviation alongside the engineering teams at Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney. Working with leading aerospace companies is vital to achieving our shared goal of climate-neutral aviation by 2050.”
This MRA builds on a history of collaboration between Collins, Pratt & Whitney, and TU Delft, which includes involvement in the European Clean Aviation framework program. One of the key projects under this initiative is COCOLIH2T, focused on developing technologies for storing liquid hydrogen fuel in commercial aircraft. The partnership also supports TU Delft’s aerospace student association, VSV Leonardo da Vinci, and fosters close ties with the Aerospace Innovation Hub at TU Delft, alongside regular internship opportunities at Collins Aerospace’s aircraft interiors development facility in Houten, Netherlands.
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Through this strategic partnership, Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and TU Delft are poised to make significant strides in sustainable aviation research, driving innovation and fostering a new generation of aerospace talent.
