Pratt & Whitney Acquires AI Borescope Inspection Specialist Aiir Innovations

Pratt & Whitney acquired Aiir Innovations in July 2026, according to an Aviation Week report published October 22. Aiir develops software that analyzes engine borescope video to help identify and document defects. Pratt & Whitney said the purchase supports investment in AI, automation and digital tools for its maintenance, repair and overhaul business.

Pratt & Whitney cited instances where Aiir software cut borescope-video analysis time by up to 75%.

What has been confirmed

The acquisition timing, product details and performance figures come from Aviation Week’s reporting and are not independently confirmed in the supplied fact set. The report says Pratt & Whitney cited prior use of Aiir’s software on V2500 engines and completed pilot projects involving GTF and F135 engines. The company reported up to 75% faster borescope-video analysis in some lessor applications, more than 30% lower overall inspection time at MRO providers, and report preparation reduced from hours to minutes. Pratt & Whitney also said the software had helped avoid quality escapes in some cases, but it did not provide case details or quantify their financial impact.

Why it matters

Borescope inspections let maintenance teams examine internal engine areas with a small camera, without disassembling the engine for a direct view. Software that helps teams review and document those images could reduce the time needed to complete inspections and prepare reports. Pratt & Whitney said the tools could support shorter turnaround times, increased time on wing and less operational disruption for customers.

FlyMarshall context

Engine maintenance affects how long an aircraft stays in service and how operators plan fleet availability. Pratt & Whitney said it intends to offer Aiir’s tools to MRO providers, lessors and operators across different engine models, as well as deploy them within its own operations and GTF MRO network shops. The report also describes Percept, a separate inspection tool Pratt & Whitney developed with Indian startup Awiros. Percept uses computer vision on mobile-device images and video; Pratt & Whitney said it cuts inspection time by nearly 90%.

What happens next

Pratt & Whitney plans to expand access to Aiir’s inspection tools beyond its own network. The company also described a future direction for MRO applications that includes predictive, prescriptive and potentially autonomous maintenance, with AI augmenting expert judgment. The supplied fact set gives no deployment schedule for the broader rollout.