---
title: "Aviation Revolution: Pratt & Whitney 3D Prints a Jet Engine for Cruise Missiles"
description: "Pratt & Whitney successfully tested the TJ150 engine, where 60% of the parts are 3D printed. This revolutionary solution for cruise missiles allows combining 50 components into a single part and accelerating production. 🚀🖨️"
date: 2026-07-21T12:41:04.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/pratt-whitney-3d-engine-tj150-cruise-missiles
tags: [pratt-whitney, tj150, 3d-printing, valox, defense-tech]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Aviation Revolution: Pratt & Whitney 3D Prints a Jet Engine for Cruise Missiles

![3D-printed Pratt & Whitney engine for cruise missiles with detailed components and an inset of a real engine](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/21/pratt-whitney-3d-dvigatel-tj150-rakety/pratt-whitney-3d-dvigatel-tj150-rakety-1.webp)

Pratt & Whitney has announced the successful completion of demonstration tests for the compact TJ150 turbojet engine. This event is a milestone for the industry, as nearly 60% of the new power plant's volume consists of parts manufactured using additive manufacturing, or simply put — 3D printing.

### Technological Breakthrough in the Defense Industry

The main goal of the tests was to verify how components created on 3D printers withstand real operational loads. Successfully passing these tests paves the way for scaling the production of engines for expendable systems. The TJ150 was developed specifically for use in cruise missiles and autonomous platforms.

Unlike classic aircraft engines designed for years of continuous operation, the TJ150 functions for minutes or hours. Therefore, during its creation, the priority was not durability in the traditional sense, but rather production speed, design simplification, and reduced assembly complexity.

### From 50 Parts to a Single Block

The use of additive manufacturing allowed engineers to make a real technological leap. More than 50 individual components of the engine's hot section were combined into several large printed parts. This solution drastically reduced the number of joints and, consequently, potential failure points.

As part of the program, a 3D-printed rotating turbine was also successfully tested, which was subsequently integrated into the new engine configuration. The TJ150 generates more than 150 pounds of thrust and is designed to operate at high altitudes. Its compact size makes it an ideal choice for systems where engine weight directly affects range and payload.

### Production Scale and Prospects

To date, Pratt & Whitney has delivered more than 2,700 TJ150 engines to customers worldwide. The company plans to use the developed technology to accelerate the production not only of the current model but also of future engines, including the Valox family.

According to Pratt & Whitney representatives, the implementation of 3D printing should help shorten production times, expand supply chain capabilities, and increase output faster as demand for compact powerplants for defense programs grows. This solution allows for a flexible response to market needs, ensuring rapid adaptation of production capacity.