Pratt & Whitney AeroPower and Safran Microturbo to Provide Auxiliary Power Unit for Dassault's Falcon 5X Business Jet

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney AeroPower has been selected to provide its APS500[D] auxiliary power unit (APU) for the Falcon 5X business jet – Dassault Aviation's largest, most powerful twin-engine jet to date. Pratt & Whitney AeroPower, a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company, is partnering with Safran Microturbo for this project.  Microturbo is a Safran company (NYSE Euronext Paris: SAF).

Dassault unveiled the launch of the Falcon 5X jet on Oct. 21 at the NBAA2013 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Las Vegas, Nev.

The APS500[D] APU will provide the aircraft with electrical power for main engine starting and cabin air conditioning while on the ground.  

"We are proud to supply our APU for this elite business jet," said Eileen Drake, vice president and general manager, Pratt & Whitney AeroPower. "The APS500[D] is a natural extension of our APUs developed for small regional aircraft and mid-sized business jets. It is a highly reliable and powerful APU, which will ensure enhanced cabin comfort for passengers and the crew."

For the first time, the two partners will also provide Dassault Aviation with the APU installation kit (including the air inlet and the exhaust system with its noise attenuation device), which will provide an integrated solution for enhanced performance.

"The F5X is a very exciting aircraft. Microturbo actively contributes to this program with its experience and expertise in the field of power systems, and integration on the aircraft. We are delighted to be providing innovative technologies to deliver an optimized APU solution," said Mr. Pierre-Yves Morvan, CEO of Microturbo.

Pratt & Whitney AeroPower has demonstrated product performance over a complete range of aircraft. The company has more than 6,000 commercial APUs in service – ranging from the smallest business and regional jets to the largest wide-body commercial airliners.

Safran Microturbo is a world-class supplier of equipment for a wide range of  civil and military aircraft and helicopters, including the Dassault Aviation Rafale, with proven reliability and performance of its power systems.  

Dassault Aviation is a recognized leader in the design, development, sale and support of all types of aircraft, from the Rafale fighter to the Falcon range of high-end business jets.

It has delivered more than 8,000 military and civil aircraft to 83 countries over the past 60 years, and having logged nearly 28 million flight hours to date.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, auxiliary and ground power units and small turbojet propulsion products. United Technologies Corporation, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries. To learn more about UTC, visit the website or follow the company on Twitter: @UTC.

Microturbo (Safran) specializes in the design and production of high-technology power systems and propulsion systems. Microturbo is a world leader in the field of power systems and propulsion systems and has delivered over 13,000 units. Safran is a leading international high-technology group with three core businesses: Aerospace (propulsion and equipment), Defense and Security. Operating worldwide, the Group has 62,500 employees and generated sales of 13.6 billion euros in 2012.  For more information, see http://www.safran-group.com  or follow @SAFRAN on Twitter.

This release includes "forward looking statements" concerning anticipated business opportunities that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including with regard to the programs described in this release. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in forward looking statements include the effect of economic conditions in the markets in which we operate, including financial market conditions, and fluctuation in interest rates, commodity prices and foreign currency exchange rates; levels of end market demand in the aerospace industry, including levels of demand for the new aircraft described in this release; levels of air travel; financial difficulties of commercial airlines; the financial condition of suppliers; and challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies and new products and services. For information identifying other important economic, political, regulatory, legal, technological, competitive and other uncertainties, see UTC's 10-K, 10-Q and other reports filed with the SEC

* The auxiliary power unit and small turbojet propulsion businesses of Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems became Pratt & Whitney AeroPower on July 27, 2012. Be advised that although we are now using the Pratt & Whitney AeroPower name, logo and trademarks for most purposes, FAA rules require that production approvals, product/part markings, and associated contracts and proposals remain in the name of Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation during a transition period that is planned to conclude in 2014.

SOURCE Pratt & Whitney