Pratt & Whitney, in a joint venture with Seven Q Seven (SQS) of San Antonio, Texas, celebrated the roll-out of the re-engined Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) aircraft along with Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force.

The Joint STARS aircraft roll out showcased the first successful re-engining of the B707-based aircraft with four JT8D-219 engines under a contract Pratt & Whitney was awarded in 2007. Pratt & Whitney and SQS will deliver complete propulsion systems to power the U.S. Air Force’s fleet of 19 Joint STARS aircraft.

The JT8D-219 Joint STARS engine configuration offers a cost-effective, simplified installation approach. This fuel-efficient propulsion system affords the Joint STARS aircraft fuel burn improvement, which will increase the Joint STARS time on-station in its surveillance orbit.

Pratt & Whitney’s JT8D-219 engine is a derivative of one of the commercial jet engines. Commercial, FAA-certified JT8D-200 series propulsion systems are currently in operation on Boeing 727 and MD80 aircraft.

Production deliveries of the JT8D-219 propulsion system for the Joint STARS fleet will begin in 2010. Joint STARS aircraft, powered by Pratt & Whitney engines, are projected to be in service for more than 20 years.

Pratt & Whitney will be responsible for delivering the JT8D-219 engines and Seven Q Seven will supply the propulsion nacelle system, which includes the struts, cowl doors, inlet, reversers, and systems in collaboration with its key suppliers: Goodrich Corporation’s Aerostructures team and The Nordam Group.