PW100 Family
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Technical Specifications
- Dry Weight
- 385 kg
- Length
- 2,133 m
- First Run
- 1978
- In Service
- 1983
Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100 Family
The PW100 Family is the world's most successful regional turboprop engine program, with over 10,000 units delivered since its 1983 entry into service. Spanning more than 60 variants across a power range of 1,800 to 5,071 shaft horsepower (SHP), the family powers virtually every significant regional turboprop platform in commercial service today, including the ATR 42, ATR 72, Bombardier Q Series (Dash 8), Fokker 50, and a wide range of military transports and special-mission aircraft.
Technical Specifications (Representative)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Range | 1,800–5,071 SHP (across variants) |
| Dry Weight (base) | from 385 kg (849 lb) |
| Length | 2.133 m (83.98 in) |
| First Run | 1978 |
| Entry into Service | 1983 |
| Units Delivered | 10,000+ |
| Status | In Production |
Architecture and Key Variants
All PW100 variants share the same fundamental two-spool, free-turbine architecture introduced on the PW120: a centrifugal-compressor gas generator driving a power turbine coupled to the propeller through a reduction gearbox. This modular platform allows power growth, certification extensions, and feature additions without fundamental redesign, which explains the family's extraordinary longevity — it has been in continuous production and development for nearly five decades.
Key variants include: PW120 (2,000 SHP, Dash 8-100 launch engine), PW123 (2,380 SHP, Dash 8-300), PW127 (2,750 SHP, ATR 72-500), PW127M (ATR 72-600), PW127XT (2,750 SHP, ATR 72-600, 2023 entry into service with SAF compatibility and 40% lower maintenance costs), and the PW150A (5,071 SHP, Dash 8-Q400) — the most powerful member of the family.
Operational Reach
PW100-series engines operate on every inhabited continent and in some of the world's most demanding environments: Arctic ice runways in Canada, high-altitude Andean airports in South America, remote Pacific island strips, and tropical African bush routes. The family's centrifugal compressor design and proven reliability in hot-and-high, icing, and dusty conditions have made it the default choice for operators where engine robustness is non-negotiable.
The PW100 family's commercial dominance also reflects the durability of the ATR-Pratt & Whitney Canada partnership. The ATR 42 and ATR 72 hold roughly 80% of the regional turboprop market between 40 and 90 seats, and every ATR is powered by a PW100-series engine. With the PW127XT introducing 100% SAF compatibility, the family is positioned to remain in production well into the 2030s.