PT6 replacing

[laurenson]

Could GE with a new 2000hp turboprop dethrone PT6 after its 60 year of domination?

GE Could Build 2,000 thp GA Turboprop Engine | Oshkosh 2015 content from Aviation Week (http://aviationweek.com/oshkosh-2015/ge-could-build-2000-thp-ga-turboprop-engine)

GE Aviation to Create European Turboprop Center of Excellence to Pursue Non-U.S. Options to Secure Export Credit Financing for Customers (http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12115619/ge-aviation-to-create-european-turboprop-center-of-excellence-to-pursue-non-us-options-to-secure-export-credit-financing-for-customers)

[Cubs2jets]

A 2000 HP turboprop would be in a completely different class than the 450 to 1800 HP PT-6 wouldn't it?

With new technology, new designs are always a possibility and a turboprop in this class with greater efficiency can be made. But can it compete with the maturity and reliability?

C2j

[barit1]

When the PT6 first appeared in the 60s it was essentially a replacement for the venerable R-1340 Wasp, about 40 years old at the time. Economics and emissions and noise were the drivers.

So now, another 50 years along, the cycle repeats. :)

[laurenson]

The PT6 are already closed the 2000hp, for instance PT6A-68C was declared around 1960shp. Moreover, it could be a good opportunity to develop an entire new family.
However, I fully agree about your questioning, new technologies and new design will help to develop a better engine with greater the fuel consumption and specific power, but the reliability reaches by the PT6 after billions of fight hours will be hard to equal.

[barit1]

but the reliability reaches by the PT6 after billions of fight hours will be hard to equal.

In the aviation marketplace 50 years ago, similar words applied to the R-1340, R-985, etc.

[tdracer]

The big new turbofans (GEnx, Trent 1000) are demonstrating out-of-the-box reliability that is significantly better than the "mature" rates of the 1970's designs (GEnx shutdown rate is ~1-2/million hours). The modern design tools are much better than what was available 40 years ago - so it doesn't take a couple decades of service to 'mature' the design.