In 1925, Frederick Rentschler, a visionary engineer, set out to change the face of aviation. He founded Pratt & Whitney with a revolutionary goal: to develop a lighter, more reliable, and more powerful aircraft engine than anything that had come before. That first engine, the R-1340 Wasp, didn’t just succeed. It transformed aviation.
Now, in 2025, Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, celebrates 100 years of excellence and global impact. From its humble beginnings to its position today as a global leader in aerospace propulsion, the company’s centennial legacy of safety, innovation, and dependable engines
The Engine That Started It All
At the heart of Pratt & Whitney’s founding was a radical innovation: the air-cooled radial engine. The R-1340 Wasp was a technical marvel for its time achieving levels of performance and reliability far greater than the water-cooled engines of the time. Its impact was immediate and far-reaching. The U.S. Navy, recognizing its potential, placed an order for 200 engines. Additional orders soon followed, sparking a production surge that led to the company’s move to a larger facility in East Hartford in 1929 — a site that remains its global headquarters today and Pratt & Whitney being one of the largest employers in the region.
Over 35,000 R-1340 Wasp engines were eventually built, powering nearly 100 types of aircraft. In 2016, the Wasp received designation as a Historic Engineering Landmark from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a testament to its enduring legacy.
Powering Victory in World War II
During World War II, Pratt & Whitney engines became a cornerstone of Allied air power. The R-1830 Twin Wasp, for instance, powered iconic aircraft such as the Douglas C-47, the B-24 Liberator, and the Grumman Wildcat. Production ramped up to unprecedented levels — with hundreds of thousands of engines built not only in Connecticut, but by partner manufacturers across North America.
The impact was staggering: Pratt & Whitney engines supplied over 50 percent of the total aviation horsepower used by Allied forces during the war. These engines helped the Allies win the war in the skies and positioned the company for rapid postwar growth.
Jet Age Trailblazers
With the dawn of the jet age, Pratt & Whitney remained at the forefront of propulsion technology. The JT3D engine powered the Boeing 707, ushering commercial air travel into the jet age. Subsequent engines like the JT8D and JT9D powered mass-market airliners such as the Boeing 727 and 747, and Airbus’s early wide-bodies.
From the PW2000 to the PW4000 families, and the V2500 joint venture with International Aero Engines, Pratt & Whitney continued to shape the modern commercial aviation.
Defining Military Power
For the past four decades, Pratt & Whitney has been synonymous with cutting-edge fighter aircraft propulsion. From the F100 engines family on the F-15 and F-16, to the F119 for the F-22, and the F135 engine that powers all variants of the F-35, the business has continuously delivered world-class performance and dependability to the U.S. military and its allies.
The F135 alone surpassed one million flight hours in under two decades and remains the most capable and reliable fighter engine in the world today. With its ongoing Engine Core Upgrade program, Pratt & Whitney is growing the F135’s capability to ensure the F-35 remains well positioned to outpace evolving threats.
Innovation for the Future
Pratt & Whitney’s latest commercial powerhouse, the (GTF), represents a change in engine efficiency. With its unique geared architecture, the GTF delivers up to 20 percent better fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and a 75 percent smaller noise footprint for single aisle aircraft such as the A320neo, A220 and the E2.
Already powering over 2,300 aircraft globally, and with more than 11,000 engines on order, the GTF has redefined what’s possible for airlines. The new GTF Advantage, certified by the FAA and set to be delivered later this year, builds on that success with greater thrust, better fuel efficiency, and longer time on wing.
Looking ahead, the company is actively investing in hybrid-electric propulsion, alternative fuels like hydrogen, and advanced materials—all part of its commitment to shaping the next 100 years of aviation.
A Century in Connecticut
For 100 years, Pratt & Whitney has been a pillar of Connecticut’s economy and innovation landscape. With over $1 billion invested in its local sites over the last decade alone, the business continues to drive growth in East Hartford, Middletown, and beyond. From building a 425,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Engineering & Technology Center in East Hartford, to spending more than $1 billion annually with suppliers throughout in the state, the business remains deeply rooted in the community.
It also fosters the next generation of innovators through partnerships with local colleges and workforce programs. Through initiatives like FIRST Robotics, Invention Convention, and its long-standing work with organizations like the Connecticut Science Center and Boys & Girls Clubs, Pratt & Whitney continues to inspire and invest in STEM education across the region.
Celebrating 100 Years
To mark its centennial, Pratt & Whitney has launched a yearlong celebration including a global exhibit tour and special events for employees and communities. In April, the company hosted a flyover by a WWII-era R4D-6S aircraft—powered by Twin Wasp engines—at its East Hartford and Middletown facilities. In July, the company will host a Founder’s Week to honor and celebrate its heritage with events at its sites in Connecticut and across the globe.