US aerospace firm Pratt & Whitney is creating a new propulsion system tailored for advanced air-launched munitions and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). With thrust ratings ranging from 500 to 1,800 pounds (227 to 816 kilograms), the engines will be capable of supporting multiple mission profiles and platforms.
The propulsion system is scheduled for testing in two phases—later this year and in early 2026. These evaluations aim to confirm the key performance attributes before it enters wider availability. Pratt & Whitney intends to market the system to both US forces and foreign operators seeking advanced propulsion solutions for unmanned systems.
Although the company has not disclosed full technical details, industry reports suggest that the engine draws heavily from the proven TJ150, as well as innovations from the experimental GatorWorks FJ700 turbofan. The accelerated development timeline reflects the Pentagon’s urgency in fielding CCAs—expendable unmanned aircraft meant to complement manned fighters in high-threat environments.
Interest in CCA programs is growing beyond the US. India and Australia have both launched initiatives to field similar unmanned teaming capabilities. Meanwhile, Germany is aligning its training and doctrine for manned-unmanned teaming within its Next Generation Weapon System, which will feature both a new manned fighter and CCAs.
