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The GE XA100 adaptive cycle engine has been tested since December 2020 at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex of the US Air Force.
A GE Aviation Twitter account reported in March 2022 that the engine had successfully met its test criteria.
The GE XA100 will also be used on the fifth generation F-35A and C fighters where it will boost thrust by 10% and fuel efficiency by 25%.
Apart from the traditional low-profile Bypass turbo, the adaptive cycle engine features additional side current in order to increase fuel economy and act as a heat sink for cooling. The increased cooling and power generation also enables potential use of directed energy weapons in the future, when additional thrust is required, air from the third stream can be directed to the core and fan streams.
In addition to the three-flow adaptive cycle configuration, the engine also uses new heat-resistant materials such as Ceramic Matrix Compounds (CMC) to enable higher turbine temperatures and improve performance.