P&WC Delivers 1st PW127XT-S Development Engines for Deutsche Aircraft's D328eco Regional Turboprop Test Aircraft

November 17, 2025

Pratt & Whitney Canada and Deutsche Aircraft have announced the delivery of the first PW127XT-S development engines to Deutsche Aircraft's headquarters in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany . These engines are designed for the D328eco regional turboprop and will power the first test aircraft, the TAC1, marking a significant milestone on the path to entry into service in 2027. Pratt & Whitney is an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business.

The combination of advanced engine and aircraft design will enable the D328eco to deliver up to 14% lower fuel consumption per seat compared to the original Dornier 328 platform, along with offering 25% more passenger capacity and state of the art avionics. The PW127XT-S is the latest variant of Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW100 engine family, which has defined the benchmark for regional turboprop propulsion for more than four decades and accumulated over 208 million flying hours, of which more than 400,000 hours have already been contributed by PW127XT series engines.

"The PW127XT-S builds on our decades of experience in turboprop propulsion and incorporates the latest innovations to enable industry-leading fuel efficiency and time on wing," said Scott McElvaine , vice president, Sales and Marketing, Pratt & Whitney Canada . "Our ongoing collaboration with Deutsche Aircraft to combine our dependable propulsion technology with the innovative design of the D328eco will deliver a highly compelling aircraft for future operators."

"With the improved performance of Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW127XT-S engines, the D328eco will deliver a modern, versatile, and fuel-efficient solution for regional air transport," said Nico Neumann , Chief Executive Officer, Deutsche Aircraft. "Collaborating with Pratt & Whitney Canada allows us to deliver the best propulsion technology for our aircraft, providing greater capacity, lowering operating costs, and driving long-term value for our customers." 

The companies continue to collaborate on testing synthetic aviation fuels (SAF) and are working to ensure that the PW127XT-S and D328eco will be compatible with future specifications for 100% SAF, including drop-in options.

Source : RTX