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Pratt & Whitney Completes Milestone In Next-Gen Engine Testinghttp://m.aviationweek.com/program-m...m=email&elq2=85f5201039054e81b77fbbc8b4aa581e
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Lara Seligman
Sep 18, 2017
Pratt & Whitney has successfully completed testing of an adaptive three-stream fan in an engine with an F135 core, a key step in the development of next-generation fighter propulsion technology.
Preliminary data from the test indicates Pratt’s fan “has met or exceeded expectations with respect to performance as well as the integrity of the turbofan machinery and fan module,” said Matthew Bromberg, president of Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, according to a company press release.
“This is an important milestone on the path toward the advancement and maturation of a next generation adaptive engine which will enable the warfighter to stay well ahead of future and emerging threats,” Bromberg said.
Pratt and competitor General Electric are working to test technology for a new generation of fighter engines as part of the U.S. Air Force’s Adaptive Engine Technology Development (AETD) program. Under the follow on adaptive engine transfer program, Pratt and GE are developing demonstrators—Pratt’s XA101 and GE’s competing XA100—to pave the way for an adaptive, 45,000-lb.-thrust-class combat powerplant, as well as the possible re-engining of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
This new class of combat aircraft propulsion systems is based on three-stream adaptive engine technology. The third stream provides an extra source of air flow that, depending on the phase of the mission, is designed to provide either additional mass flow for increased propulsive efficiency and lower fuel burn for longer endurance, or additional air flow through the core for higher thrust and cooling air to boost combat performance.
Utilizing a third stream of air that can be modulated to adapt the engine’s performance across the flight envelope means a fighter can have “the best of both worlds,” Pratt claims, allow it to smoothly shift from efficient cruise operations to increased thrust in combat scenarios.
The goal of AETD is to provide a 25% reduction in fuel consumption and a 10% improvement in thrust levels compared to today's fifth-generation combat aircraft engines. Pratt also is maturing other advanced propulsion technologies it considers key to high-speed and long-endurance performance requirements, including adaptive control systems and improved integrated power and thermal management capacity.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
Lara Seligman
Sep 18, 2017
Pratt & Whitney has successfully completed testing of an adaptive three-stream fan in an engine with an F135 core, a key step in the development of next-generation fighter propulsion technology.
Preliminary data from the test indicates Pratt’s fan “has met or exceeded expectations with respect to performance as well as the integrity of the turbofan machinery and fan module,” said Matthew Bromberg, president of Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, according to a company press release.
“This is an important milestone on the path toward the advancement and maturation of a next generation adaptive engine which will enable the warfighter to stay well ahead of future and emerging threats,” Bromberg said.
Pratt and competitor General Electric are working to test technology for a new generation of fighter engines as part of the U.S. Air Force’s Adaptive Engine Technology Development (AETD) program. Under the follow on adaptive engine transfer program, Pratt and GE are developing demonstrators—Pratt’s XA101 and GE’s competing XA100—to pave the way for an adaptive, 45,000-lb.-thrust-class combat powerplant, as well as the possible re-engining of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
This new class of combat aircraft propulsion systems is based on three-stream adaptive engine technology. The third stream provides an extra source of air flow that, depending on the phase of the mission, is designed to provide either additional mass flow for increased propulsive efficiency and lower fuel burn for longer endurance, or additional air flow through the core for higher thrust and cooling air to boost combat performance.
Utilizing a third stream of air that can be modulated to adapt the engine’s performance across the flight envelope means a fighter can have “the best of both worlds,” Pratt claims, allow it to smoothly shift from efficient cruise operations to increased thrust in combat scenarios.
The goal of AETD is to provide a 25% reduction in fuel consumption and a 10% improvement in thrust levels compared to today's fifth-generation combat aircraft engines. Pratt also is maturing other advanced propulsion technologies it considers key to high-speed and long-endurance performance requirements, including adaptive control systems and improved integrated power and thermal management capacity.
